Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder is running as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District.

The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. Other candidates in the race are Charlie Hatcher (Republican), James A. Johnson (Independent) and Micheál O'Leary (Independent).

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Columbia, Tennessee
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; juris doctor, University of Memphis
  • Occupation: Attorney at Mounger & Molder, PLLC (since 2015), according to BallotReady profile data

Molder said on his campaign website that he was born and raised in Tennessee and is a product of Columbia's public schools.

Experience and public service

Molder has served as mayor of Columbia since 2019, according to BallotReady profile data. He said on his campaign website that he was elected in 2018 and was the youngest mayor in Tennessee at the time and the youngest in Columbia's more than 200-year history.

As mayor, Molder said he has passed eight balanced budgets with no property tax increases while investing in education and public safety. He said he saved taxpayers $10.5 million through fiscal management. He also said he made infrastructure investments and formed the Columbia Mayor's Youth Council to encourage young people to contribute to their community.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Molder's campaign website and his responses on BallotReady. They reflect the candidate's own statements.

Affordability and the economy: Molder said he is dedicated to championing affordability for Tennessee families, farmers and seniors by advocating for policies that lower everyday expenses such as healthcare, housing and groceries. He said he would fight to ensure economic policies reflect the values and needs of the community.

Healthcare: Molder called access to affordable healthcare a basic right. He said he is committed to fighting for lower costs and ensuring rural hospitals receive the support they need to stay open. He also said he wants to eliminate barriers to care, expand health insurance coverage and invest in preventive services.

Government ethics: Molder said he would advocate for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress. The goal, he said, is restoring trust in government and ensuring leaders prioritize constituents over personal gain.

Workers' rights: Molder backs organized labor. He said he supports the right to organize and strengthening labor protections.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are reported by BallotReady profile data:

  • AFL-CIO
  • The League of Conservation Voters
  • Red to Blue
  • New Democrat Coalition
  • Democrats Work for America
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Candidate positions and biographical details were drawn from Molder's campaign website and BallotReady. The Franklin Beacon did not interview the candidate for this profile.