Hatley condemns graffiti at campaign headquarters, outlines independent bid for governor
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Independent Tennessee governor candidate David Hatley condemned graffiti sprayed on his campaign headquarters in Johnson City and said the incident has affected his family.
The graffiti included the words “drop out or die,” according to the candidate. Hatley said he was “sad” and “angry” and that he did not believe there was a place in politics for threats or violence.
“I’m a father and a husband, and now you’re talking about my family,” Hatley said. “I don’t think there’s any place in the political world for this type of violence or threats.”
Hatley said he was not at the headquarters when the graffiti was discovered. He said he did not believe surveillance cameras covered the specific area, but that cameras in the industrial park and license plate readers could help police identify whoever was responsible.
“Ultimately, it’s been hard on my family today, but I’ve got to focus on my campaign,” Hatley said.
Hatley, who is running as an independent, said he entered the race because he wants to change the way state government operates in Nashville. He said his background in balancing budgets, building teams and improving business operations would help him manage state government.
“I want to be Tennessee governor to fix the system in Nashville,” Hatley said. “I believe the system in Nashville is not working for people.”
Hatley said he plans to appeal to voters in both major parties as well as independents. He cited internal polling that he said showed his campaign with room to grow and said he did not view his candidacy as a spoiler campaign.
“We’re in this to win,” Hatley said. “I wouldn’t be putting my own money in this if I didn’t think we could win.”
Hatley also discussed a pledge to donate $1 million to three Tennessee charities if U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn agrees to participate in an Oct. 8 debate in Nashville with Hatley and Democratic nominee Jerry Green. Hatley said he would decide whether to make the donation if Blackburn responds to the proposal.
Green has accepted the invitation, Hatley said, but Blackburn has not responded. Hatley said a debate would give voters an opportunity to hear from the candidates.
Hatley described himself as conservative, pro-life and pro-gun but said he would make decisions based on what he believes is best for Tennessee rather than on whether an idea comes from the political right or left.
He said education would be a top priority if he were elected. Hatley said rural schools are struggling and that the state needs to improve educational outcomes, expand opportunities through the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, and prepare students for skilled jobs.
Hatley said he would not replicate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policies without studying them. When asked about Florida’s approach to teaching African American history, Hatley said he was not familiar with the details but that he saw no reason not to teach students about slavery and other historical events.
“Slavery was an absolute atrocity to this state,” Hatley said. “I don’t see a reason sitting here today why we wouldn’t teach our kids what went on before them because it was terrible.”
Hatley also addressed his criminal conviction as a young man and the restoration of his voting rights. He said he was 18 when he opened his first business and later wrote bad checks while trying to keep the business operating and make payroll. He said he served 23 days in jail and has not returned since.
“I was a young kid who made a bad decision,” Hatley said. “You can’t judge someone off of one mistake. You judge them off their actions.”
Hatley said his experience shaped his belief in second chances and influenced his views on restoring rights for people who have been rehabilitated. He said his offense was nonviolent but that decisions about restoring rights should be reviewed by a judge because crimes differ.
He also discussed tax liens filed against him, saying they stemmed from a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service over how taxes were assessed under an accrual accounting system. Hatley said the issue was resolved and that he has since paid his taxes and undergone two IRS audits.
Hatley said his business experience would guide his approach to the state budget. He criticized what he described as inefficiencies in government and said he would seek greater transparency, including putting the state’s checkbook online and banning pay-to-play arrangements.
He also said he would not raise taxes and argued that the state should address inefficiencies before increasing revenue.
During a campaign swing through West Tennessee, Hatley said he saw opportunities to address crime, education and workforce development in Memphis. He said the state should expand technical training and recruit manufacturers to the city while continuing efforts to reduce crime and improve rehabilitation in the prison system.
“Memphis has the most opportunity in this entire state that I’ve seen,” Hatley said. “The people here want change.”
Hatley said his campaign’s immediate focus is increasing name recognition and communicating his message to voters. He said he believes the race can shift as more voters learn about his candidacy.
“If everybody knows who I am and my message, that’s the most important thing I can do right now,” Hatley said.
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