Popular GOP Senator Cruises to Victory in Tennessee Primary
President Donald Trump’s endorsed slate powered through Tennessee’s Republican primaries Tuesday, delivering decisive wins that underscored the president’s enduring grip on the GOP.
The primary wins also position conservatives for a strong push to reclaim the governor’s mansion and hold key congressional seats in the November midterms.
Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty secured an uncontested victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate on Thursday night, advancing effortlessly to the November general election as a steadfast champion of conservative values and President Trump’s agenda.
With no challengers on the ballot, Hagerty, the incumbent first elected in 2020, was declared the nominee shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m. Central Time.
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The outcome was never in doubt in the deep-red Volunteer State, where Republicans dominate statewide races.
Hagerty now prepares to face the Democratic nominee in November, with analysts rating the seat as safely Republican.
Hagerty’s path cleared months ago when no Republican opponents filed, reflecting broad party unity behind the senator who has consistently delivered for Tennessee while advancing Trump’s priorities on border security, economic growth, and national strength.
President Trump offered his full-throated endorsement earlier, declaring: “Senator Bill Hagerty has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! He has been with us from the very beginning, helping us MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. In the Senate, Bill is working hard to Revitalize our Economy, Lower Taxes, Secure the Border, Champion our Incredible Military/Vets, Restore American Energy DOMINANCE, Protect our always under siege Second Amendment, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee praised Hagerty as “a warrior for America First,” stating that “Re-electing Bill is job #1 to get our country back on track.”
Fellow Sen. Marsha Blackburn, herself seeking the governorship, called Hagerty “a conservative warrior for Tennessee values” and affirmed, “Bill Hagerty is a conservative warrior for Tennessee values, and that’s what he’ll continue to do. I’ll work tirelessly to support his re-election.”
Concrete results have marked Hagerty’s first term.
As a former U.S. Ambassador to Japan under President Trump, he strengthened the critical U.S.-Japan alliance, advanced the Indo-Pacific strategy, and helped secure a trade deal that boosted American farmers and manufacturers while drawing record Japanese investment and jobs to the United States.
Earlier, as Tennessee’s commissioner of Economic and Community Development, he drove record job growth and earned the state back-to-back “State of the Year for Economic Development” awards.
In the Senate, Hagerty serves on the powerful Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; Appropriations; and Rules committees.
He authored the GENIUS Act, the first major federal cryptocurrency law establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins, which President Trump signed into law in 2025.
The legislation positions America as a leader in digital assets and counters threats from Communist China.
Hagerty has fought tirelessly for border security, deportations of illegal immigrants, energy dominance, and protecting the Second Amendment, while cutting wasteful spending and supporting law enforcement.
His offices have helped thousands of Tennesseans resolve veterans’ claims, IRS issues, and other casework.
Looking ahead, Hagerty has made clear his plans center on fully implementing President Trump’s America First vision.
He has repeatedly stressed the need to keep the southern border secure, deport illegal immigrants who threaten public safety, and prioritize American citizens.
In recent statements, Hagerty emphasized continuing the fight against wasteful spending, advancing energy independence, countering China’s aggressive influence, and ensuring peace through strength abroad—including strong support for finishing critical missions against adversaries.
“I’m running for reelection to keep our border secure, deport illegal immigrants, and always put the safety of the American people first,” Hagerty has said on the campaign trail.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
