Political controversies involving Andy Ogles

The following is a discussion of political controversies involving Andy Ogles, particularly during his tenure as county mayor of Maury County (2018-present).

Before Seeking Office

Before seeking the county mayorship, Andy Ogles was executive director of the Tennessee branch of Americans for Progress. As a lobbyist for the AFP (an organization supported by the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch), Ogles had lobbied against a gas tax increase and in favor of the repeal of the Hall Tax (a state tax on interests and dividends). While Ogles was unsuccessful in blocking the gasoline tax increase (which incumbent Charlie Norman had backed as a way to raise funds for improving local roads) the Hall Tax repeal reduced county revenue.

2018 Campaign

Republican Nominating Convention

The method used by the Maury County Republican Party to select candidates in 2018 was controversial. The party used a primary election in 2014 (in which Charlie Norman narrowly defeated then-Commissioner Scott Cepicky. Cepicky later became chair of the MCRP. In 2018, the Republicans opted not to have a primary election, on the grounds that it would save the county about $35,000 in expenses associated with conducting the election. Instead, they used a nominating convention, effectively shrinking the pool of Republicans deciding the nomination from several thousand to 122 of the most dedicated party members. Ogles was endorsed by Rep. Sheila Butt, whose tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly was marred by several controversies.

Outside Campaign Advertisements

During the campaign, mail advertisements were sent out by a group calling itself the "Great America Coalition" boosting the candidacy of fourth-place finisher Amanda Kelton. Many, including incumbent mayor Charlie Norman and the Daily Herald editor James Bennett, suspected the outside group as being controlled by Republicans seeking to encourage Democratic voters to back Kelton instead of Norman or Sonny Shackelford, thus further dividing the non-Republican vote in the county to Andy Ogles' benefit. Ogles denied knowing anything about the group.

Offices Controversy

Scott DesJarlais Office

Early in his tenure as County Mayor, Andy Ogles requested office space for U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais on Maury County's Public Square. The county commission approved the request, evicting the deputy clerk in the process after it was rejected by the county budget committee. Ogles argued the office move was necessary to improve relations between the county government and DesJarlais. Some county leaders expressed concern that the monthly rent agreed to between the county and DesJarlais's was lower than it could have been. Democrats also characterized this as a "sweetheart deal" for a fellow "Tea Party" Republican.

Veterans Services Move

In early 2019, a controversy arose after Ogles backed moving the Veterans Service Office from the Memorial Building (the former U.S. Post Office at 308 West 7th Street) to the Public Square. Ogles argued that the reason for the move was that the Memorial Building basement was unsafe and did not provide enough space for VSO personnel to discuss health concerns privately with veterans. The move raised concerns about parking availability and accessibility, and Ogles himself was criticized for not communicating his intentions and reasoning clearly (which may have contributed to misinformation about the move).

Social Media

Registration of "Muletown Mayor" Trademark

On October 28, 2019, Ogles filed a trademark application for the name "Muletown Mayor." The trademark was for "[e]ntertainment services, namely, an ongoing home renovation and lifestyle series distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media." The application specifically disclaimed any right for the exclusive use of the phrase. Some on social media were critical, both on the grounds that it was liable to result in confusion between Ogles and Columbia mayor Chaz Molder, and that it seemed overtly self-promotional.

Blocking of Critics on Facebook

In 2020, a group of 18 Maury County residents threatened to file a lawsuit against Andy Ogles for blocking them from posting on his posts on Facebook. There is a growing body of case law suggesting this practice may be illegal. Drake Colley, one of the 18 complaining residentsm told the Daily Herald:

The mayor wants to live in a silo of constant praise from his own supporters. Just because we don’t agree with him doesn’t mean we should have our ability to engage in the public forum restricted or abolished. My civil rights to be heard on my county mayor’s social media platform along with many others have been violated and I want them restored.

Allegations of Racial Insensitivity

In August 2020, during the presidential election, Andy Ogles posted a Facebook meme featuring a picture of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with the caption "Why Biden no get virus? He sniff everyone." Some constituents were offended by the post because its humor was premised on racial stereotypes about Asians. Ogles defended the post, but apologized to those who were offended.