NASHVILLE — On the heels of breaking new reporting showing Trump’s approval rating turns negative in Tennessee for the first time ever, Tennessee Republicans are freaking out about the midterm elections, and Donald Trump is the last person they want to be connected to. With just under 40 days until the election, Charlie Hatcher is part of the growing list of Republican candidates who are leaving Trump on read and scrubbing any ties to his deeply unpopular agenda that has made just about everything more expensive for working families. 

Reporting reveals that Charlie Hatcher has wiped mention of Donald Trump from his campaign slogan, demonstrating that his campaign for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District is panicking as he faces an incredibly strong challenge from Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, the Democratic nominee. As Trump’s approval rating sinks to an all-time low, Tennessee Republicans are suddenly hiding their allegiance to the deeply unpopular president while Tennesseans make it clear they don’t want any more of their costly policies that are making life unaffordable in Tennessee.

The bottom line: Trump, Marsha Blackburn, and Tennessee Republicans, from Congress to our State House, raised gas prices to record-highs, cut healthcare for Tennessee families, and created this cost-of-living crisis. Now, Tennessee families, farmers, and small businesses can’t keep up with rising costs as they go further into debt or cut back altogether. Instead of owning up to their failures and past praise for Trump, Tennessee Republicans are doing what they do best: hiding from voters and shifting the blame in a desperate attempt to save themselves this November. While Tennessee Republicans attempt to paper over their failed record, Tennessee Democrats are holding them accountable, generating momentum, and standing up for working families.

The following is a statement from Rachel Campbell, Chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party: 

“Why are Tennessee Republicans suddenly hiding their relationship with Trump? It’s obvious: They are afraid of being held accountable for their support of Trump’s disastrous and costly agenda, and they’re rushing to jump ship. They can try to downplay their loyalty to Trump all they want, but Tennesseans see right through their bullshit. In just under 40 days, Tennessee voters will go to the polls and deliver a resounding rejection to cost-spiking Republicans. Voters across Tennessee are ready to elect Democratic candidates, from U.S. Senate and Governor to our State House, who will lower costs and always put Tennesseans first.”