TN Senate: Bill Hagerty (R)
PROFILE
Born in Gallatin, Tenn., Bill Hagerty’s mother was a schoolteacher and his father worked road construction. As a boy, Hagerty helped tend to the pigs and cattle, before growing up to work in construction like his father. Hagerty’s father was unable to achieve a college education for himself but he worked tirelessly to ensure that his son would not be denied the opportunity.
Hagerty graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1981 and began working at Boston Consulting Group, before beginning a career as an economic advisor under the White House Fellows Program. Having worked for individuals such as Mitt Romney and President George H.W. Bush, Hagerty has a long history regarding economics and finance within Washington. Hagerty was a strong supporter of Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign. In 2017 Hagerty was nominated to be the United States Ambassador to Japan.
In late 2019 Hagerty announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate, with President Trump endorsing his candidacy. Hagerty is considered a right-wing populist, focusing on addressing issues affecting the country through a mainly conservative viewpoint. As a former economic advisor, some of the largest issues that Hagerty has focused on during his campaign revolve around lowering taxes, enacting a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and preventing raising the federal minimum wage.
Hagerty currently resides in Tennessee with his wife Chrissy and their four children.