NASHVILLE — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty hauled in more than $1.5 million for his effort during the last three months of 2019, according to his campaign.

That left the Tennessee businessman and former U.S. ambassador to Japan with more than $3 million in his campaign war chest as of Dec. 31. Hagerty’s total fundraising since jump-starting his campaign in September is $3.4 million.

“Team Hagerty is building momentum every single day, and we are so grateful for this outpouring of support,” Hagerty said in a statement. “These resources are critical as we work to share my conservative message with Tennesseans across the state. Together, we will bring Tennessee’s Christian, conservative values to the Senate and defeat Chuck Schumer’s hand-picked liberal candidate.”

Hagerty campaign finance chairman Steve Smith said the candidate “is running a strong grassroots campaign that is quickly garnering support all across the state.

“Bill is the only candidate ready to work with President Trump on day one, and Tennesseans are excited that their senator will be able to work so closely with the president on their behalf,” Smith added. “Team Hagerty is strongly positioned to defeat Chuck Schumer’s radically liberal candidate in November, and we are not going to let our foot off the gas.”

Hagerty formally announced his bid in September, some two months after his former boss, President Donald Trump, tweeted the then-ambassador was running and offered his “complete and total” endorsement. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is headed into Tennessee for Hagerty on Tuesday.