A clean energy-focused super PAC has spent $2 million in a Republican primary race to oppose Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., and support his challenger, Charlie Hatcher, Tennessee’s former commissioner of agriculture. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition super PAC has raised $6.7 million in 2025, with $1.3 million already spent opposing Ogles and another $700,000 in recent ad buys, according to federal filings reviewed by multiple outlets.
The super PAC is funded primarily by Chris Larsen, the billionaire chairman of Ripple, a cryptocurrency company. Larsen has contributed $6 million to the group since February 2026, including a $5 million donation in his latest filing. Federal Election Commission records also show Larsen has donated $5.4 million to a super PAC supporting Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign and $1 million to the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, among other Democratic-aligned groups.
Primary Spending Targets Tennessee Republican
Ogles, who represents Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, is facing a competitive primary challenge from Hatcher. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition’s spending represents a significant financial investment in the race, with the group’s total expenditures exceeding $2 million in opposition to Ogles and support for Hatcher. The super PAC’s filings indicate its spending is concentrated on this single primary contest.
Funding Source: Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen
Larsen, a California-based billionaire, has emerged as a major donor to Democratic-aligned groups in recent election cycles. His contributions to the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC include $5 million in the most recent filing, making it his second-largest single donation after his $5.4 million gift to Future Forward PAC in 2024. Federal records also show Larsen has donated $1 million to the Jane Fonda Climate PAC and $1 million combined to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
Ogles Responds to Super PAC Spending
Ogles has framed the spending as retaliation for his opposition to government subsidies for renewable energy. In an interview, he stated: “When you have a group spending roughly $2 million in a Republican primary, that tells you how much money they're making off of government subsidies, and they're upset that the government welfare has been taken away from them.” The congressman did not respond to requests for additional comment.
Background: Tennessee’s 5th District Race
Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, which includes parts of Nashville, has become a battleground in the 2026 election cycle. Ogles, first elected in 2022, has faced criticism from some Republicans for his stance on renewable energy policy. His primary challenger, Hatcher, has positioned himself as a more conservative alternative in the race.
Federal Filings and Transparency
The spending and donations are documented in filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which require super PACs to disclose their donors and expenditures. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC’s latest filings show its $6.7 million in raised funds, with the majority of spending directed toward the Tennessee primary. The group’s website describes its mission as supporting clean energy initiatives and opposing policies that reduce government investments in renewable energy.
Implications for the 2026 Election Cycle
The super PAC’s involvement in a Republican primary highlights the growing role of outside spending in intraparty contests. While super PACs are prohibited from coordinating with candidates, their spending can significantly influence primary races. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition’s focus on Tennessee’s 5th District suggests a strategic investment in a competitive race that could shape the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.