Impact Research
50%40%30%20%10%0%
41%
TN-05 Democratic nominee?
$47.7K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
LocationTennessee
BackgroundMayor
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EducationUniversity of Tennessee (graduate)
Notable personal detailsCharles (Chaz) M. Molder is the mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, first elected in 2018. He is a University of Tennessee graduate and earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle.
SourcesShowHide
chazmolder.comfec.govlinkedin.comfacebook.comen.wikipedia.orgaxios.comelectionsshelbytn.govnashville.govcapitolhillaccess.comapps.tn.govinsideelections.comwhofundstn.orgkalshi.comwikizero.orgcookpolitical.commaurydems.orgcheathamcountytn.govdocquery.fec.govtennesseelookout.comreddit.comdccc.orglcv.orgtnpolitico.comen.everybodywiki.combluevoterguide.orgwsmv.comyahoo.comopentn.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govcomptroller.tn.govtennessean.comnotus.orgactionnews5.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgwpln.orgnashvillebanner.comaol.comcommercialappeal.combreitbart.comx.comclerk.house.govhistory.house.govgovinfo.govwhitehouse.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govballotready.orgziplook.house.govforeign.senate.govvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Chaz Molder emphasizes fiscal responsibility at the local level—highlighting seven consecutive balanced city budgets and no property tax increases—and prioritizes lowering everyday costs for families, including healthcare, housing, and groceries. His campaign materials focus on affordability and cost reduction rather than detailing specific federal tax policy proposals or advocacy for higher or lower federal tax rates. There is no clear, direct statement in available campaign or news materials about support for major tax increases on wealth/corporations or for major federal tax cuts.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable healthcare, lowering healthcare costs, protecting rural hospitals, expanding insurance coverage, and investing in preventive services. Focus is on reducing barriers to care rather than advocating single-payer.
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Climate & Energy
Supports investment in clean energy and reducing costs by transitioning to cleaner sources while opposing powerful fossil fuel interests. Emphasizes building a clean energy economy as part of broader policy priorities. Campaign materials identify the candidate as the Columbia mayor running for Tennessee’s 5th District and list general issue priorities but do not detail specific climate targets on the campaign issues page.
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
TN-05 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Chaz Molder for TN-05 Democratic nominee?
Jim Cooper
Public figure
Jim Cooper endorsed Chaz Molder for Congress in Tennessee's 5th District.
John Tanner
Public figure
John Tanner endorsed Chaz Molder for Congress in Tennessee's 5th District.
Raumesh Akbari
Public figure
Raumesh Akbari endorsed Chaz Molder for U.S. Congress in District 5.
Steve Cohen
Public figure
Steve Cohen endorsed Chaz Molder for Congress in Tennessee's 5th District.
Future Forum PAC
Political organization
Future Forum PAC endorsed Chaz Molder in a House race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.5M
$1.9M
$1.2M
$622.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.5M
$1.6M
$933.6K
$51.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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