Bill Hagerty made it through the Republican primary about a month ago and is hitting the campaign trail for the general election on Nov. 3.
He’s the nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat to represent the state of Tennessee.
Hagerty was in Jackson on Thursday meeting with about 40 county mayors, sheriffs and state congressional representatives at Old Country Store.
“I want to get an idea from you guys of what we need to be talking about,” Hagerty told the group. “What issues need addressing?”
While maintaining a Republican conservative in the seat was discussed, Hagerty said hearing from some of the sheriffs about staffing their organizations and their mental health in the environment of protests and pushes to defund police departments throughout the country was an eye-opener for him.
“I think those who know me can look back on my record in other positions I’ve held and see that I stand with law enforcement and I’ve got their backs,” Hagerty said. “And defunding the police isn’t something I think we need to be doing.
“We need to support those who are putting their lives on the line for us every day.”