Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty
Bill Hagerty
Born	William Francis Hagerty IV; August 14, 1959 (age 67); Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Diplomat, entrepreneur, politician
Known for	U.S. senator from Tennessee; U.S. Ambassador to Japan

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Bill Hagerty, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025

William Francis Hagerty IV ( ; born August 14, 1959) is an American diplomat, entrepreneur, and politician currently serving as the junior U.S. senator representing Tennessee since 2021. Affiliated with the Republican Party, he held the position of the 30th U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2017 until 2019 during President Donald Trump’s administration.

Hagerty’s professional journey began in the realm of private equity, where he co-established and managed Hagerty Peterson & Company, a private equity investment firm. Between 2011 and 2014, he served as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, playing a pivotal role in bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville. President Trump nominated him as ambassador to Japan on March 27, 2017; subsequently, the United States Senate confirmed his appointment on July 13 with an 86–12 vote. He was officially sworn in on July 27, 2017, and stepped down in July 2019 to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

During the 2020 election, Hagerty secured victory in the Republican primary and went on to defeat Democratic candidate Marquita Bradshaw for the Senate seat left open by Lamar Alexander.

Early life and education

A native of Gallatin in Sumner County, Tennessee, Hagerty earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and was honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2017. He graduated from Madisonville North Hopkins High School in Kentucky in 1977. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business administration (1981) as well as a Juris Doctor degree (1984), both awarded by Vanderbilt University.

Career

Hagerty’s early professional experience includes working at Boston Consulting Group, where he spent three years assigned to their Tokyo office. He also served as an economic advisor and was selected as a White House Fellow during President George H. W. Bush’s tenure. Transitioning into private equity, he joined Trident Capital based in Silicon Valley, before co-founding Hagerty Peterson & Company where he acted as managing director. Additionally, he was national finance chair for Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign.

From 2011 through 2014, Hagerty held the role of commissioner at Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development under Governor Bill Haslam, overseeing significant investments from corporations including Bridgestone, Calsonic Kansei (now known as Magneti Marelli), and Nissan within Tennessee.

His governance experience extends to board memberships with companies such as CyMed, NEW Customer Services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ryman Hospitality, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and R.J. O'Brien.

Nashville MLS Steering Committee

Prior to his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Hagerty established and chaired the Nashville MLS Steering Committee, a coalition instrumental in securing a Major League Soccer franchise for Nashville, Tennessee. On December 20, 2017, Nashville was officially announced as one of two new MLS expansion cities. The team, known as Nashville SC, made its debut during the 2020 MLS season.

2016 presidential election

At the outset of the 2016 presidential race, Hagerty was selected as a delegate supporting Jeb Bush. However, Bush withdrew prior to the Tennessee primary. Following this, Hagerty took on the role of Trump Victory Chair for Tennessee and, in August 2016, was appointed as director of appointments for Donald Trump's initial presidential transition team.

United States Ambassador to Japan

On March 27, 2017, President Trump nominated Hagerty to serve as United States Ambassador to Japan. The Senate confirmed his appointment on July 13, 2017, by a vote of 86–12, and he officially assumed the position on July 27, 2017.

Before his confirmation, Hagerty was also under consideration for the role of United States Trade Representative due to his expertise in international trade and foreign investment. Ultimately, the post was awarded to Robert Lighthizer, who had previously served under the Reagan Administration.

Hagerty declared his resignation from the ambassadorship on July 16, 2019, announcing his intention to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

2020

In December 2018, Senator Lamar Alexander revealed he would not pursue a fourth term and identified Bill Hagerty along with former governor Bill Haslam as potential successors. Haslam opted out of running in July 2019. The following day, President Trump publicly endorsed Hagerty, who then resigned from his ambassadorial post to seek the Senate seat. During this period, Hagerty was also considered a candidate for U.S. secretary of state.

Hagerty officially launched his Senate campaign in September 2019. By the end of that month, he had raised $1.9 million and increased fundraising totals to over $7 million by April 2020, including $1.2 million raised in the first quarter of that year. Campaign events featured prominent speakers such as Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Nikki Haley.

In May 2020, allegations emerged concerning potential campaign finance irregularities related to a loan from Pinnacle Financial Partners amid the CARES Act context.

Hagerty secured victory in the Republican primary held on August 6, 2020. In the November general election, he defeated Democrat Marquita Bradshaw, receiving 1,840,926 votes compared to her 1,040,691. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2021.

Tenure

Initially, Hagerty intended to oppose certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count based on unproven allegations of voter fraud. Nevertheless, after supporters of then-President Trump breached the U.S. Capitol during the events of January 6th, he voted in favor of certifying the electoral results. On May 28, 2021, he cast a vote against establishing an independent commission to investigate the Capitol attack.

In August 2021, Hagerty employed a procedural tactic to delay the final vote on the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, citing concerns over its expenses and an impending $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. This move drew criticism from members across party lines including Senators Mitt Romney and Kevin Cramer.

In July 2022, Business Insider reported that Hagerty breached the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 by not promptly disclosing stock transactions involving trusts held by three of his dependent children.

By October 2024, Hagerty was under consideration for a Cabinet role in Treasury, Commerce, or State departments. Following Trump's electoral success, Treasury emerged as the most probable appointment; however, Hagerty ultimately continued serving in the Senate.

Committees

Political positions

Hagerty describes himself as a conservative whose perspectives align with right-wing populism and the policies endorsed by Donald Trump.

In the course of his 2020 Senate bid, he stepped down from the board of futures brokerage R.J. O'Brien & Associates following controversy regarding the company's purported contributions to the Black Lives Matter Foundation, an organization he criticizes. Additionally, he encountered scrutiny for obtaining a $2.5 million loan from Pinnacle Bank—an institution where he previously served as a director—during a period when small businesses faced difficulties securing loans due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Hagerty advocates for capital punishment specifically targeting human traffickers and considers Sharia Law a threat to national security. He supports ongoing U.S. backing of Israel. His economic policy favors tax cuts and endorses a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. He stands against increasing the federal minimum wage and opposes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, promoting decreased federal involvement in healthcare while supporting initiatives aimed at preventing rural hospital closures.

Regarding energy policy, Hagerty champions expanded investment in fossil fuels, calls for revoking renewable energy mandates and energy efficiency regulations, and stresses the importance of achieving American energy independence.

Personal life

Hagerty is married to Chrissy Hagerty, with whom he has four children. He practices Episcopalianism and identifies as a conservative Christian.

Honors

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2025)

External links