Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty
Born	William Francis Hagerty IV 14 8, 1959
Birthplace	Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, diplomat
Known for	U.S. Senator from Tennessee; 30th U.S. Ambassador to Japan
Education	Vanderbilt University (BA, JD)
Children	4
Website	[Official Senate website Official site]

William Francis Hagerty IV (born August 14, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat serving as the junior United States senator from Tennessee since January 3, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Hagerty previously served as the 30th United States Ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019 under President Donald Trump. Before entering public service, Hagerty built a career in private equity, co-founding the Nashville-based investment firm Hagerty Peterson & Company. He served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development from 2011 to 2014 under Governor Bill Haslam, during which time he led efforts to attract business investment to Tennessee, including a successful campaign to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville. In 2020, Hagerty won election to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring senator Lamar Alexander, defeating Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw in the general election. In the Senate, Hagerty has served on the Senate Banking Committee and has focused on economic policy, financial regulation, and foreign affairs. He has been an ally of Donald Trump throughout his political career, having served on Trump's presidential transition team before being nominated as ambassador to Japan.

Early Life

William Francis Hagerty IV was born on August 14, 1959, in Gallatin, Tennessee, a city in Sumner County northeast of Nashville. He grew up in Tennessee and later settled in Nashville, where he would build his professional career in business and eventually enter public service.

Education

Hagerty attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1984. His legal education at Vanderbilt provided the foundation for his subsequent career in private equity and public policy.

Career

Private Equity

After completing his education, Hagerty entered the private equity industry. He co-founded Hagerty Peterson & Company, a private equity investment firm based in Nashville, and served as its managing director. Through this firm, Hagerty was involved in business investment and management, building experience in finance and corporate leadership that would later inform his roles in government and economic development.

Hagerty's career in the private sector also included early involvement in Republican politics. During the administration of President George H. W. Bush, Hagerty was involved in government service, as reflected in records from the Bush administration.

Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development

On February 14, 2011, Hagerty was appointed as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development by Governor Bill Haslam, succeeding Matt Kisber in the role. In this capacity, Hagerty was responsible for overseeing economic development strategy for the state of Tennessee, including efforts to attract business investment, recruit companies, and create jobs.

During his tenure, which lasted until June 6, 2014, Hagerty focused on positioning Tennessee as a competitive destination for corporate investment. He was succeeded in the role by Randy Boyd.

One of Hagerty's most notable accomplishments during and after his time as commissioner was his leadership in the effort to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville. This initiative involved coordinating with state and local officials, business leaders, and the MLS organization. In December 2016, state legislation was introduced to support Nashville's MLS bid, particularly regarding stadium development. In December 2017, Nashville was formally awarded an MLS expansion team, completing a process that Hagerty had been instrumental in initiating. Nashville's MLS award was described in business media as a testament to Hagerty's persistent efforts, with one article using the headline "Don't bet against Bill Hagerty."

Trump Presidential Transition Team

In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, Hagerty became involved in Republican presidential politics. He was named to a delegate slate for Jeb Bush during the Republican primary in October 2015. Following Donald Trump's victory in the general election in November 2016, Hagerty took on a key role in the Trump presidential transition team. Reports indicated that a top aide to Senator Bob Corker had also joined the Trump transition effort, reflecting the broader involvement of Tennessee political figures in the incoming administration.

United States Ambassador to Japan

On March 27, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Hagerty to serve as the United States Ambassador to Japan. The nomination was announced after Trump had indicated in January 2017 that Hagerty would be his pick for the ambassadorial post.

The United States Senate confirmed Hagerty's nomination on July 13, 2017, in an 86–12 vote, reflecting broad bipartisan support for the appointment. Reuters reported on the confirmation, noting Hagerty's background in business and his role in the Trump transition team.

Hagerty was sworn in as the 30th United States Ambassador to Japan on July 27, 2017. He officially assumed his duties on August 31, 2017, succeeding Caroline Kennedy, who had served as ambassador under President Barack Obama.

During his tenure as ambassador, Hagerty was responsible for managing the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship during a period of significant activity in East Asian geopolitics, including ongoing tensions related to North Korea's nuclear program and trade negotiations between the United States and Japan. In October 2017, Japanese media covered Hagerty's activities as ambassador, including his engagement with Japanese officials and the public.

Hagerty served as ambassador until July 22, 2019, when he resigned from the position. The post remained vacant until Rahm Emanuel was confirmed as his successor in 2022.

2020 U.S. Senate Campaign

In September 2019, Hagerty formally launched his campaign for the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Lamar Alexander, who had announced he would not seek reelection in 2020. Hagerty entered the race with the endorsement of President Trump, which proved to be a significant advantage in the Republican primary.

Hagerty won the Republican primary election and then faced Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw in the November 2020 general election. Tennessee, a state that had trended increasingly Republican in recent election cycles, proved favorable territory for Hagerty, who won the general election.

U.S. Senate Tenure

Hagerty was sworn in as the junior United States senator from Tennessee on January 3, 2021, succeeding Lamar Alexander. He serves alongside senior senator Marsha Blackburn, also a Republican.

In the Senate, Hagerty has been assigned to committees relevant to his background in business, finance, and foreign affairs, including the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. He has used his position on the Banking Committee to advance legislation related to financial regulation and community banking.

Legislative Activity

In November 2025, Hagerty co-introduced the Main Street Depositor Protection Act alongside Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), a bipartisan measure developed through the Senate Banking Committee. In conjunction with the legislation, Hagerty and United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent co-authored an opinion piece championing the bill's aim to strengthen community banks.

Hagerty has also engaged in matters of consumer privacy and telecommunications regulation. In early 2026, he filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Verizon, demanding the company acknowledge wrongdoing for disclosing his Senate phone data.

Economic Policy and Constituent Engagement

In February 2026, Hagerty made a visit to Kingsport, Tennessee, where he spoke at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce's Federal Legislative Brunch, held at the Cattails Ballroom in the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center. During the visit, he delivered remarks focused on economic growth and prosperity for the region. Hagerty also toured Eastman Chemical Company's molecular recycling (methanolysis) facility in Kingsport, discussing the company's innovation efforts.

In February 2026, Hagerty appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box to discuss the state of the economy and express support for Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee for Chair of the Federal Reserve, describing Warsh as "the man for the moment."

Personal Life

Hagerty resides in Tennessee. He and his wife have four children. Hagerty is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees, and has maintained ties to the Nashville community throughout his career in business and politics.

Recognition

Hagerty's role in bringing Major League Soccer to Nashville was recognized by the Nashville business community, with the Nashville Business Journal crediting his efforts as instrumental in securing the expansion franchise for the city in December 2017.

His confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Japan with an 86–12 Senate vote reflected substantial bipartisan recognition of his qualifications for the diplomatic post. Vanderbilt University Law School publicly acknowledged his ambassadorial appointment, noting his status as a distinguished alumnus of the class of 1984.