Sen. Invoice Hagerty (R-Tenn.) is working for reelection in 2026, finishing hypothesis a couple of attainable gubernatorial bid to prevail term-limited Tennessee Gov. Invoice Lee (R).
“I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election to the United States Senate. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the men and women of Tennessee, and I am committed to the fight for our shared values, our freedoms, and the future of our great state and nation,” Hagerty stated in a Tuesday press unlock.
Throughout President Trump’s first time period in place of work, Hagerty served as U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019.
Hagerty then ran for a Tennessee Senate seat prior to now held by way of GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander. Trump recommended him and ultimately received the aggressive Republican Birthday celebration number one. The businessman beat Democrat Marquita Bradshaw in November 2020, getting round 62 % of the vote.
“I stood with President Trump then, and I remain committed now to advancing the policies that put hardworking Americans and Tennesseans first,” Hagerty stated.
Till lately, Hagerty used to be bearing in mind a run for the state’s governor spot, doubtlessly placing him on a collision path with the Volunteer State’s different higher chamber lawmaker, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who has additionally expressed robust hobby.
Hagerty’s finance chair for his 2020 marketing campaign, Steve Smith, informed Knoxville Information Sentinel previous this month that “we have had dozens who have reached out to us. It is reasonable to assume a decision will be made in the next 100 days.”
One GOP senator showed to The Hill mid-January that Blackburn is taking a look carefully at a gubernatorial run, announcing it’s the state’s “worst kept secret.” On the time, she used to be already calling political operatives, every other supply acquainted with the topic added.
“My lifelong business experience, which gave me firsthand exposure to the crippling overreach of the administrative state, provides unique perspective to the critical debates and lawmaking that takes place in the Senate,” Hagerty stated on Tuesday. “I’ve fought to secure our southern border, support our small businesses, strengthen our national security, and ensure Tennessee’s voice is heard in Washington.”
Hagerty used to be in attention for some cupboard roles for Trump’s 2nd time period, together with the State Division, Trade Division and the Treasury Division.
The Tennessee senator will start his 2026 reelection marketing campaign with nearly $9 million raised, consistent with the click unlock. He’s going to crisscross the state within the coming weeks to carry finance and marketing campaign occasions “that will demonstrate his unmatched support throughout the Volunteer State and its three grand divisions.”
