Chaz Molder Announces Run for 5th Congressional District

September 4, 2025

Chaz Molder packed Hattie Jane’s Creamery on Thursday morning in Columbia to officially launch his campaign for Congress. Surrounded by his family — including his father-in-law, longtime Democratic state Rep. Craig Fitzhugh — Molder, who grew up blocks from the Columbia town square, emphasized his small-town bona fides and took swipes at incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. 

“Being a mayor provides a front-row perspective to the needs and challenges our communities face,” Molder told the room. “I think Congressman Ogles, in a lot of ways, forgot who sent him there. I think he’s more interested in chasing national headlines for the wrong reasons instead of local headlines for the right reasons.” 

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