CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Republican senatorial candidate Bill Hagerty held a campaign event at the Clarksville Country Club with Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton on Friday.
Hagerty is one of 15 candidates in the August 6 Republican Primary, the winner of which will run to replace the retiring Lamar Alexander (R). in the United States Senate. He has positioned himself as a ‘Trump conservative,” who will support the President’s agenda in the Legislative Branch.
Cotton gives endorsement
Hagerty and Cotton spoke to supporters on a variety of topics, from China to the recent surge of protests across the county. Cotton particularly praised Hagerty’s work as the United State’s Ambassador to Japan and how it relates to the U.S relationship with China.
“[Trump] knows that he’s gonna hold China accountable for unleashing this plague on the world and affecting all of our lives…Bill Hagerty has stood up to China before and he will do it again,” said Cotton.
In recent weeks, Cotton has made multiple claims that the Chinese Government intentionally caused the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim that has been widely disputed by health officials, including CDC Director Robert Redfield and the World Health Organization.
Cotton, who served at Fort Campbell as part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), also referenced Hagerty’s relationship to President Trump.
“Bill Hagerty is not just gonna be my battle buddy. He’s not just gonna be Marsha Blackburn’s battle buddy. He is gonna be Donald Trump’s battle buddy…Donald Trump didn’t just endorse Bill Hagerty. Donald Trump asked him to run to be your next senator,” said Cotton.
Hagerty talks military and the economy
When asked how he could best serve Tennessee’s active duty military and veterans, Hagerty pointed to his work in Japan.
“I served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. We have more military stationed in Japan than any other nation in the world outside the United States any day between 50 and 60000 active duty and their families. I was the senior American in that country. I worked shoulder to shoulder with our military leadership and with the rank and file. We have a huge respect for the military and the service they give,” said Hagerty.
When asked how we can best serve veterans and their families, Hagerty said he had experience in that as well.
“I was head of economic development for the state of Tennessee. This was one of the areas I most loved to present and recruit. Hankook Tire, right here. A big employer that has invested perhaps a billion dollars already in the Clarksville market. We have gotten great results here from an economic development standpoint. Our veterans are a huge asset for Tennessee. The skills that they bring. They know how to show up on time. They have excellent soft skills. They know how to deliver They’ve had exceptional technical training as well. We need to continue to leverage that,” said Hagerty.
Hagerty also addressed the current COVID-19 pandemic, and his opposition to further shutdowns.
“The economic carnage that has been associated with this has been massive for Tennessee. We gotta keep moving forward. We are doing it carefully, but I don’t want mandates. I want Tennesseans and I want Tennessee business to do the right thing for them. I believe in choice and I believe that citizens will make the right decision here.”
Election Day for the U.S. Senate Race is August 6. Early voting concludes on Saturday, August 1 at 4 p.m.
For more on the election, including sample ballots, go to https://mcgtn.org/election/current-election or call 931-648-5707.