Bill Hagerty (politician)

Last updated

Bill Hagerty
Sen. Bill Hagerty official Senate portrait, 117th Congress.jpg
United States Senator
from Tennessee
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Servingwith Marsha Blackburn
Preceded by Lamar Alexander
30th United States Ambassador to Japan
In office
August 31, 2017 –July 22, 2019
President Donald Trump
Preceded by Caroline Kennedy
Succeeded by Joseph M. Young (acting)
Tennessee Commissioner of
Economic and Community Development
In office
February 14, 2011 –June 6, 2014
Governor Bill Haslam
Preceded by Matt Kisber
Succeeded byRandy Boyd
Personal details
Born
William Francis Hagerty IV

(1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 61)
Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s)
Chrissy Hagerty
​
(m. 2001)​
Children4
Education Vanderbilt University (BA, JD)
Website Senate Website

William Francis Hagerty IV (born August 14, 1959) is an American politician, diplomat, and businessman serving as the junior United States Senator from Tennessee, having succeeded Lamar Alexander following his victory in the 2020 election. A member of the Republican Party, Hagerty served as the 30th United States ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019.

Contents

Hagerty worked as an economic advisor and White House fellow under President George H. W. Bush. He then began a career in private equity. Hagerty is the co-founder of Hagerty Peterson & Company, a private equity investment firm; he is a former managing director of the firm. From 2011 to 2014, Hagerty served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. He led a successful effort to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville, Tennessee. President Donald Trump nominated Hagerty to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Japan on March 27, 2017, and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 13, 2017 in an 86–12 vote. Hagerty was sworn in as the 30th United States Ambassador to Japan on July 27, 2017; he resigned the post in July 2019 to run for U.S. Senate.

Hagerty ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Lamar Alexander in the 2020 election. He won the Republican primary and defeated Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw in the general election.

Early life and education

Hagerty is a native of Gallatin, in Sumner County, Tennessee. He became an Eagle Scout, and was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2017. [1] He is a 1977 graduate of Madisonville North Hopkins High School in Kentucky. [2] He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1981 from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School in 1984. [3] [4]

Career

Hagerty and members of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America with President George W. Bush in 2006 President George W. Bush poses for photos in the Oval Office with members of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.jpg
Hagerty and members of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America with President George W. Bush in 2006

Hagerty began his career at Boston Consulting Group, culminating in a three-year assignment to Tokyo. [3] Hagerty was an economic advisor and White House Fellow in the administration of President George H. W. Bush [5] and then began a career in private equity, initially at Trident Capital in Silicon Valley. Hagerty is the co-founder of Hagerty Peterson & Company, a private equity investment firm; he is a former managing director of the firm. [6] He served as a national finance chairman in the Mitt Romney 2008 presidential campaign. [7]

From 2011 to 2014, Hagerty served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in the cabinet of Governor Bill Haslam, where he played a role in investments by Bridgestone, Calsonic Kansei, and Nissan in Tennessee. [8]

Hagerty has served on the board of CyMed, NEW Customer Services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ryman Hospitality, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and R.J. O'Brien. [9]

Nashville MLS Steering Committee

Prior to his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Hagerty founded and led the Nashville MLS Steering Committee, a coalition seeking to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville, Tennessee. That effort was successful, with Nashville being officially selected and named the first of two new MLS expansion markets on December 20, 2017. Nashville SC debuted in the 2020 MLS season. [10] [11] [12] [13]

2016 presidential election

During the early stages of the 2016 presidential election, Hagerty was nominated to serve on the ballot as a delegate for Jeb Bush. Bush dropped out of the race before the Tennessee primary on March 1, 2016. [14] Following the Tennessee primary, Hagerty served as Trump Victory Chair for Tennessee. After Donald Trump became the Republican nominee, he was selected in August of 2016 as director of appointments for Trump's presidential transition team. [15] [16]

United States Ambassador to Japan

Hagerty was nominated to be the United States Ambassador to Japan by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2017. [17] He was confirmed on July 13, 2017 by the United States Senate in an 86–12 vote. [18] [19] He was sworn in as the 30th U.S. Ambassador on July 27, 2017. [20] [21]

Prior to his confirmation, Hagerty was reportedly also under consideration for the post of United States Trade Representative, based on his prior international trade and U.S. foreign investment experience. [22] [23] The job eventually went to Robert Lighthizer, an attorney and former Reagan Administration official.

On July 16, 2019, Hagerty announced that he would resign as Ambassador to Japan. [24]

Hagerty and family with Donald and Melania Trump in the ambassadorial residence in 2019 President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Tokyo (47953644093).jpg
Hagerty and family with Donald and Melania Trump in the ambassadorial residence in 2019

United States Senate

On July 12, 2019, President Trump announced that Hagerty would resign as Ambassador to Japan to run in the U.S. Senate election in Tennessee in 2020. In the same tweet, Trump endorsed Hagerty's Senate bid. [25] [26] [27] Hagerty was mentioned as a potential U.S. Secretary of State during the same period. [28]

Hagerty officially launched his Senate campaign on September 9, 2019. [29] By September 30, Hagerty had raised $1.9 million for his campaign. [30] By April 6, Hagerty had raised more than $7 million for the campaign in seven months, with $1.2 million raised in the first quarter of 2020. [31] Speakers at Hagerty campaign fundraisers included Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle [32] as well as Nikki Haley. [33]

Beginning in late May of 2020, news outlets began circulating an article, originally published by Roger Sollenberger in Salon, discussing allegations of campaign finance misconduct by Hagerty. [34] The article focused largely on an loan given to the Hagerty Campaign by Pinnacle Financial Partners almost immediately following the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. [35]

On August 6, 2020, Hagerty won the Republican primary. [36] [37] He defeated Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw in the November general election [38] [39] by a margin of 1,840,926 votes to 1,040,691 votes. [40] Hagerty took office on January 3, 2021. [41] [42]

Political positions

Hagerty is a self-described conservative. [43] His views have been characterized as populist and in line with the views of Donald Trump. [44]

Hagerty supports the death penalty for people convicted of engaging in human trafficking acts. [45] Hagerty believes that Sharia Law is a national security threat to the United States and believes that the United States should continue to support Israel. [46] [47] Hagerty supports reducing taxes and supports enacting a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. [46] He opposes raising the federal minimum wage. [48] Hagerty is opposed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and believes that the federal government should reduce its involvement in healthcare. [49] He supports efforts to prevent the closure of rural hospitals. [48] Hagerty supports increased investment and development of fossil fuels, and supports repealing renewable energy and energy efficiency standards. [49] He also supports American energy independence. [49]

Personal life

Hagerty is married to Chrissy Hagerty, and has two daughters and two sons. [46] He identifies as a conservative Christian. [48]

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References

  1. ↑ Hubbard, Alex (April 24, 2017). "Bill Hagerty named Distinguished Eagle Scout in Franklin ceremony". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. ↑ Harvey, Laura (July 24, 2017). "Madisonville-North Hopkins High School graduate confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Japan". Kentucky New Era . Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Bill Hagerty '84 appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Japan". Vanderbilt Law School. March 24, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Appointment of the 1991–1992 White House Fellows" (PDF). White House. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  5. ↑ Haberkorn, Jennifer; Restuccia, Andrew (August 28, 2016). "Trump taps Bush, Romney veterans for transition". Politico. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ Collins, Michael (July 27, 2017). "1 Tennessee's Bill Hagerty sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to Japan". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  7. ↑ Garrison, Joey (November 12, 2014). "ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty to leave Haslam administration". The Tennessean. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  8. ↑ Garrison, Joey. "Trump to name Nashville's Bill Hagerty ambassador to Japan". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Report for the Committee on Foreign Relations: Hagerty, William – Japan – May 2017". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  10. ↑ Garrison, Joey. "State bill seeks to help Nashville MLS bid with stadium". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  11. ↑ Kennedy, Eleanor (December 20, 2017). "Nashville formally awarded MLS team, completing come-from-behind win". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ Organ, Mike. "Nashville lands MLS franchise". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  13. ↑ Becker, Lori (December 21, 2017). "Nashville MLS Win: Don't bet against Bill Hagerty". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  14. ↑ Sher, Andy (October 15, 2015). "Jeb Bush names Frist, three Chattanoogans for TN presidential delegate slate". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  15. ↑ Garrison, Joey. "Nashville's Bill Hagerty takes on key role on Trump transition team". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  16. ↑ Rogin, Josh (August 3, 2016). "Top Corker aide joins Trump transition team". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ "President Donald J. Trump Sends Nominations to the Senate". White House press pool email. March 27, 2017. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Senate Confirmation Vote". United States Senate.
  19. ↑ "U.S. Senate confirms businessman Hagerty as ambassador to Japan". Reuters. July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  20. ↑ The White House (July 27, 2017), Vice President Pence Swears In U.S. Ambassador to Japan William F. Hagerty IV , retrieved July 27, 2017
  21. ↑ "Hagerty: Goal remains the denuclearization of North Korea". Asahi. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ Garrison, Joey. "Bill Hagerty reportedly a contender to be Trump's top trade negotiator". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  23. ↑ Nicholas, Peter; Bender, Michael C. "Trump Team makes overtures to democrats as transition push ramps up". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  24. ↑ Hughes, Clyde (July 16, 2019). "U.S. ambassador to Japan resigns amid Senate race". United Press International . Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  25. ↑ Casiano, Louis (July 12, 2019). "Trump says Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty to make Senate run in Tennessee". Fox News . Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  26. ↑ Segers, Grace (July 12, 2019). "Trump announces U.S. ambassador to Japan will run for Senate". CBS News . Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  27. ↑ Ebert, Joel (July 12, 2019). "President Donald Trump says Bill Hagerty to run for US Senate in Tennessee". The Tennessean . Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  28. ↑ Rogers, Alex; Cohen, Zachary (July 12, 2019). "Trump announces his US ambassador to Japan will run for US Senate in Tennessee". CNN Politics . Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  29. ↑ Ebert, Joel. "Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty launches U.S. Senate bid". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  30. ↑ Ebert, Joel (October 10, 2019). "Bill Hagerty raises $1.9 million from donors during first month in U.S. Senate race". The Tennessean. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  31. ↑ Mattise, Jonathan (April 4, 2020). "Hagerty raises $1.2M more in Tennessee bid for US Senate". AP News. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  32. ↑ Ebert, Joel (January 28, 2020). "Donald Trump Jr. touts father's accomplishments, slams media and Democrats while stumping for Bill Hagerty". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  33. ↑ Butler, Chris (February 19, 2020). "Nikki Haley Says Bill Hagerty Is 'A Quality Republican' During Nashville Stop". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  34. ↑ Sollenberger, Roger (May 27, 2020). "Trump task force member Bill Hagerty may be using pandemic to fund his Tennessee Senate campaign". Salon. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Browse loans". FEC.gov. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  36. ↑ Arkin, James (August 6, 2020). "Trump-endorsed Hagerty wins Tennessee Senate primary". Politico . Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  37. ↑ Ebert, Joel; Allison, Natalie. "Bill Hagerty wins Tennessee's bitter Republican US Senate primary". The Tennessean.
  38. ↑ Hammonds, Rebekah (November 4, 2020). "Bill Hagerty wins U.S. Senate seat". WTVF. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  39. ↑ West, Emily R.; Hardiman, Samuel. "Marquita Bradshaw wins Tennessee's Democratic US Senate primary". The Tennessean.
  40. ↑ "State of Tennessee U.S. Senate Election Results, November 3, 2020" (PDF). Tennessee Board of Elections. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Republican Bill Hagerty wins election to U.S. Senate from Tennessee". baynews9.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Tennessee U.S. Senate Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  43. ↑ Ebert, Joel (January 27, 2020). "GOP U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty's first TV ad highlights Trump endorsement, impeachment". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  44. ↑ Wegmann, Philip (January 7, 2020). "Bill Hagerty Is No Mitt Romney (and That's Fine by Trump)". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  45. ↑ Hagerty, Bill (March 9, 2020). "End Human Trafficking, Support Death Penalty For Traffickers". The Chattanoogan . Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  46. 1 2 3 Siniard, Tim (January 10, 2020). "Hagerty vows to stand with Trump". Cleveland Daily Banner . Cleveland, Tennessee. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Issues". teamhagerty.com. Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  48. 1 2 3 Stevens, Blake (January 14, 2020). "From jobs to healthcare to Iran: Former Ambassador, U.S. Senate Candidate Bill Hagerty discusses range of topics". WATE-TV . Knoxville, Tennessee. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  49. 1 2 3 Keafer, Tori (December 2, 2019). "Senate candidate talks political and Main Street views with Franklin mayor". Williamson Herald . Franklin, Tennessee. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Caroline Kennedy 		United States Ambassador to Japan
2017–2019		Succeeded by
Joseph Young
Acting
Party political offices
Preceded by
Lamar Alexander 		Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Tennessee
(Class 2)
2020 		Most recent
U.S. Senate
Preceded by
Lamar Alexander 		U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Tennessee
2021–present
Served alongside: Marsha Blackburn 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
John Hickenlooper 		United States Senators by seniority
96th		Succeeded by
Tommy Tuberville
Tennessee's delegation(s) to the 117th–present United States Congress (ordered by seniority)
117th Senate: M. Blackburn • B. Hagerty House: J. Cooper • S. Cohen • S. DesJarlais • C. Fleischmann • D. Kustoff • T. Burchett • M. Green • J. Rose • D. Harshbarger
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