Political Action Committee Funds Attack Ads Against Rep. Ogles
The Green Energy Political Action Committee has reportedly spent over $700,000 on deceptive pro-Trump ads targeting Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) to support his primary challenger, Charlie Hatcher.
One ad claims, “Charlie Hatcher is an America First conservative who gets things done,” emphasizing that he is “pro-gun, pro-life, pro-Trump.” But, interestingly, the organization behind these ads, Invest in Tomorrow, isn’t exactly conservative in nature.
In fact, the PAC is backed by donors associated with the Democratic Party, including supporters from the Obama and Biden administrations. They aim to penalize those who oppose green energy initiatives.
Ogles had something to say about this when speaking to Blaze News, stating, “I’m one of President Trump’s closest allies, so I’m being targeted by left-wing liberals in California.” He noted that over $1 million has been funneled to his opponent from influential donors linked to Gavin Newsom and other Democratic figures.
During this political landscape, endorsements and financial assistance have been notable. For instance, Ripple Labs co-founder Chris Larsen contributed $6 million to the PAC between February and June 2026. Interestingly, he had previously donated $10 million in cryptocurrency to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Larsens’s wealth is impressive, reportedly amounting to around $13 billion.
Larsen expressed confidence in Gavin Newsom, saying, “His instincts are incredible. It’s still early days, but we’re supporting him in every way.”
Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy and the PAC’s chair, made an eyebrow-raising remark: “If you’re an American energy extremist, you’re on our hit list.” He suggested the PAC intended to alert congressional members that they’re being watched when taking extreme stances on energy.
Though Matzzie claimed he didn’t know Hatcher’s specific views on green energy, he emphasized that the message was meant for Congress as a whole. It’s worth noting that Matzzie has a history with left-leaning political movements, previously working with the Democratic National Committee and other progressive organizations.
Additionally, Jigar Shah, a former Biden executive director, donated $50,000 to Invest in Tomorrow. Other donations include $200,000 from Mark McCall and $26,525 from Peter Davidson, both notable figures in green energy finance.
Ogles and Hatcher are competing in Tennessee’s restructured 5th Congressional District, where about 83% of voters are new to Ogles. Hatcher has received several endorsements, including one from former Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Haslam.
Interestingly, the same PAC targeted Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) in a similar manner during the Texas attorney general primary, accusing him of not aligning closely enough with MAGA principles. Following that political skirmish, Ogles’ camp has spent over $560,000 defending him against the Invest in Tomorrow campaign.
Ogles expressed frustration over the attack ads, saying, “This desperate attempt to silence me is futile. I will not be silent and I will never stop fighting for America First.” As of now, responses from Larsen, Shah, Davidson, Matzzie, and Hatcher have yet to come in.
