- Since being elected, Andy Ogles has made few public appearances, instead favoring friendly news outlets and occasionally appearing on Fox News to criticize Democrats (Nashville Scene).
- Ogles has maintained an active conservative presence in Tennessee through social media and frequent speaking engagements at conservative events, where he has often criticized Governor Lee (Commercial Appeal, Leaf-Chronicle).
- Ogles has used social media extensively, both to share public safety messages and to post provocative memes—most notably during August 2020, when memes mocking Joe Biden and referencing Kim Jong-un generated outrage and online controversy (Daily Herald, Tennessean).
- In response to backlash over these memes, Ogles defended his posts, referencing Kim Jong-un’s record, and pledged to post similar content daily, a move that reinforced support among conservatives but drew criticism from other constituents (Daily News Journal, Leaf-Chronicle).
- He has also recorded over 230 pandemic update videos for constituents, reflecting a consistent use of digital platforms for communication (Daily Herald).
- Potential vulnerability: Ogles has been reported as amplifying talking points from controversial media outlets, including Tenet Media, potentially exposing him to criticism for spreading misinformation (Nashville Scene).
2023: Ogles Rarely Appeared In Public After Election According to Nashville Scene, "Since being elected, Ogles has rarely appeared in public and favored friendly environments. He has become an occasional guest on Fox News, where Laura Ingraham lets him rail against Democrats." [Nashville Scene, 5/11/23]
Nashville Scene Reported Ogles Amplified Tenet Media Talking Points In 2022-2024 According to Nashville Scene, "Tennessee Republican leaders including U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles have regularly amplified talking points from Tenet’s talking heads." [Nashville Scene, 9/5/24]
August 2021: Andy Ogles Criticized Governor Lee At Conservative Events According to Commercial Appeal, "Ogles, who has an active social media following, regularly speaks at conservative events in Tennessee where he criticizes Lee." [Commercial Appeal, 8/13/21]
2021: Andy Ogles Maintained An Active Conservative Presence In Tennessee According to Leaf-Chronicle, "Ogles, who has an active social media following, regularly speaks at conservative events in Tennessee where he criticizes Lee and appears to enjoy teasing the idea of running for governor." [Leaf-Chronicle, 8/14/21]
2019: Andy Ogles Used Social Media To Share Parade Experience And Urged Safety According to Daily Herald, '"This is just one example of what is going on in Maury County," Ogles told followers on social media, posting a live video filmed with the Columbia Courthouse to his back, surrounded by visitors to Columbia's monthly First Fridays event. "Be safe and have fun," Ogles said.' [Daily Herald, 4/7/19]
August 2020: Andy Ogles' Facebook Meme Sparked Local Outrage and Online Tensions According to Daily Herald, "A meme shared by Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has sparked outrage and disappointment from some of his constituents and others across Middle Tennessee while gathering support from his conservative supports and igniting online tensions." [Daily Herald, 8/16/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Defended Meme Referencing Kim Jong-un and Joe Biden According to Daily Herald, "Following the post's circulation of more than 1,000 reactions, the mayor added to the post stating: 'For those of you freaking out, this meme is of Kim Jong Un, the brutal dictator of N(orth) Korea who is guilty of mass genocide. Your outrage is a reflection of your ignorance.' He later posted another meme further mocking Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden." [Daily Herald, 8/16/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Posted A Meme Mocking Joe Biden And Referencing Kim Jong-Un According to Leaf-Chronicle, "A meme shared by Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has sparked outrage and disappointment from some of his constituents and others across Middle Tennessee while gathering support from others and igniting online tensions. The post, a photograph of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, reads 'Why Biden no get virus? He sniff everyone.' It was posted on the mayor's official Facebook page. [...] Ogles wrote 'Hmmmm?' when initially sharing the message." [Leaf-Chronicle, 8/20/20]
Andy Ogles Defended Post By Referencing Kim Jong-Un's Record According to Leaf-Chronicle, "Following the post's circulation of more than 1,000 reactions, the mayor added to the post stating: 'For those of you freaking out, this meme is of Kim Jong Un, the brutal dictator of N(orth) Korea who is guilty of mass genocide. Your outrage is a reflection of your ignorance.'" [Leaf-Chronicle, 8/20/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Promised To Continue Posting Memes Daily According to Leaf-Chronicle, "Following the large reaction to posts, Ogles promised to make similar posts on a daily basis. 'Given the popularity of my meme tonight, I will do my best to post one daily. #snowflake,' the mayor wrote." [Leaf-Chronicle, 8/20/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Posted Racist Meme On Official Facebook Page According to Daily News Journal, "A meme shared by Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has sparked outrage and disappointment from some of his constituents and others across Middle Tennessee while gathering support from others and igniting online tensions. The post, a photograph of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, reads 'Why Biden no get virus? He sniff everyone.' It was posted on the mayor's official Facebook page. [...] Ogles wrote 'Hmmmm?' when initially sharing the message." [Daily News Journal, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Responded To Backlash By Defending Meme Post According to Daily News Journal, "Following the post's circulation of more than 1,000 reactions, the mayor added to the post stating: 'For those of you freaking out, this meme is of Kim Jong Un, the brutal dictator of N(orth) Korea who is guilty of mass genocide. Your outrage is a reflection of your ignorance.'" [Daily News Journal, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Andy Ogles Pledged To Post Similar Memes Daily According to Daily News Journal, "Following the large reaction to posts, Ogles promised to make similar posts on a daily basis. 'Given the popularity of my meme tonight, I will do my best to post one daily. #snowflake,' the mayor wrote." [Daily News Journal, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Ogles Shared Meme Mocking Biden Using Kim Jong-un Imagery According to Tennessean, "A meme shared by Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has sparked outrage and disappointment from some of his constituents and others across Middle Tennessee while gathering support from others and igniting online tensions. The post, a photograph of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, reads 'Why Biden no get virus? He sniff everyone.' It was posted on the mayor's official Facebook page." [Tennessean, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Ogles Responded To Backlash Over Meme Post According to Tennessean, "Following the post's circulation of more than 1,000 reactions, the mayor added to the post stating: 'For those of you freaking out, this meme is of Kim Jong Un, the brutal dictator of N(orth) Korea who is guilty of mass genocide. Your outrage is a reflection of your ignorance.' He later posted another meme further mocking Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden." [Tennessean, 8/19/20]
August 2020: Ogles Promised To Post Similar Memes Daily According to Tennessean, "Following the large reaction to posts, Ogles promised to make similar posts on a daily basis. 'Given the popularity of my meme tonight, I will do my best to post one daily. #snowflake,' he wrote." [Tennessean, 8/19/20]
2020: Ogles Recorded Over 230 Pandemic Update Videos During Business Hours According to Daily Herald, "He argues the page has more than 230 videos featuring the county mayor offering daily updates on the pandemic to constituents. 'Each of these videos were recorded during the county's business hours, at the mayor's desk with the county and state flags in the background,' Teets said." [Daily Herald, 12/27/20]
Andy Ogles Pursued Screenwriting As A Hobby In 2001 According to Tennessean, "I attended the recent Nashville Screenwriters Conference, and I'm really into writing in my spare time. Who knows? Maybe I'll cook and write!" he said as he welcomed another customer. [Tennessean, 6/10/01]