Anderson County mayor endorses Hagerty
America has faced and overcome many challenges throughout our history.
From the brink of internal collapse during the Great Depression to an external outright attack at Pearl Harbor, as a nation, our American life reflects the story of each of us — that is, our national story is one of ups and downs, suffering and success, victory and defeat.
Right now, as a nation, we face a multi-fronted challenge, perhaps even best described as war.
Together we have stepped forward to protect and encourage each other in the midst of a global pandemic for a disease we don’t yet fully understand. Yet, while we try to message that “we’re in this together,” we can’t help but worry about our future as we watch images of violence and turmoil that are openly neighbor against neighbor.
The very idea of America — her founding, her principles — is under attack. Unity itself is mocked as if division were the new virtue.
Bricks and mortar, marble and bronze are literally being toppled and destroyed. And we are mourning.
I know of no chants through the ages that have ever called America a perfect nation, but we are indeed a great nation. I believe that.
America has her faults because man has his faults. It is the very nature of humanity that is our weakness. But whoever imagined a hundred years ago, or even five years ago, that loving your country would be a questionable act?
That believing that America’s optimism, our charity, our productiveness, our over-arching goodness make you a target for ridicule? But yet, here we are.
It is in this context that I write to share my support for Bill Hagerty for United States senator.
Every leader has his time. It is in our moments of uncertainty that we cry out for certainty. I have no grudge against Mr. Hagerty’s long list of opponents, nor am I in a position to question their truthfulness.
But what I don’t believe we have time for is the testing of their skills, their knowledge, their ability to navigate a very complicated and aggressive system of not just government—but of global politics and spiritual upheaval.
We can’t afford to test if their governance will match up with the speeches and campaign ads. We need certainty.
I met Mr. Hagerty around 2013 when he was working to bring jobs to our state and our county.
Over the years, I’ve watched him put time and energy into ensuring a quality future for my children and grandchildren.
I like what I’ve seen. Maybe he’s my candidate because I like people who know what’s it’s like to work on a farm; maybe it’s because he’s worked to support candidates when he didn’t have to.
Or because he’s stood for the last years as a watchman from his outpost as the ambassador to Japan — observing, warning, protecting us as China plays out its long strategy of opposition against America.
Maybe it’s because Bill Hagerty understands the stakes and supports the Constitution, rule of law and a belief that our rights come from our Creator. And maybe, it’s because he has been the only candidate who has called me and asked about the needs of the people of Anderson County.
For all these reasons, I hope you’ll join me in supporting Bill Hagerty.
Terry Frank has served as the mayor of Anderson County in Tennessee since 2012. This editorial endorsement is Mayor Frank’s personal opinion.