Hatley for Governor · Independent · Tennessee 2026
For the press -
the working file on David Hatley.
Politicians Promise. Hatley Delivers.
David Hatley is an East Tennessee builder running for Governor as an independent. No party. No promises. Just results. This page collects what reporters need to cover the campaign accurately — bio, key facts, upcoming events, brand assets, and a single point of contact.
Campaign
Hatley for Governor
Affiliation
Independent
Hometown
Elizabethton, TN
Headquarters
Upcoming · AUGUST 6TH
for the press
Come Meet Me & Hear More About How We Are Building TN.
Meet and hear David’s message, vision for the state, why he’s running, and how you can join the movement. Lite bites and refreshments will be provided.
Build TN Night
Build TN Night
Hosted by David Hatley · King Centre, Johnson City
Meet and hear David’s message, vision for the state, why he’s running, and how you can join the movement. Lite bites and refreshments will be provided.
date
August 6, 2026
ADMISSION
Open to the public
PRESS
Invitation only
Credentials via media contact
Embargoed · pre-policy phase
Through the summer, on-record statements are focused on personal story and the Built in Tennessee Tour. The campaign’s formal policy platform rolls out in July–August. Policy specifics are not yet available for citation.
PASTED EVENT· July 4
for the press
Not a rally. A celebration David hosts at his plant.
America’s Bash: The Big Day is a one-day community celebration on the great lawn at Whisper — the Johnson City plant David built with his bare hands. On the Fourth of July, David hosts Tennessee’s veterans, his employees, and his neighbors for live music, food, and the country’s biggest birthday — its 250th.
This is a private event. Admission is by free ticket, secured by RSVP at americasbash.com. Plant tours are private and invitation-only. Press access is invitation-only.
America’s Bash
Hosted by David Hatley · Whisper, Johnson City, TN
Four acts: Arrival & Community in the afternoon; the veteran wish-grant ceremony at golden hour; David’s personal-story remarks at dusk — on why Tennessee gave him everything and why he’s running to give back; and a night-capping celebration with live performances from Randy Houser and Lee Brice, followed by a major fireworks show.
date
July 4, 2026
Venue
Whisper · Great Lawn
Johnson City, TN
ADMISSION
Private event · Free ticket
RSVP at americasbash.com
PRESS
Invitation only
Credentials via media contact
Embargoed · pre-policy phase
Through the summer, on-record statements are focused on personal story and the Built in Tennessee Tour. The campaign’s formal policy platform rolls out in July–August. Policy specifics are not yet available for citation.
CANDIDATE
BIO – FOR DIRECT QUOTING
The short version, and the longer one.
David Hatley is the founder of nine companies and the holder of eleven patents. Across thirty years building in East Tennessee, he has grown a manufacturing footprint that today employs 750 Tennesseans across 740,000 square feet — including the number-one hot-tub manufacturer on American soil. He is running for Governor of Tennessee as an independent.
“Built Not Bought.”
David was raised in Elizabethton, in Carter County. There was no roadmap and nothing was easy. He kept the dream and the fuel deep in his heart, and built — starting with nothing, growing through every cycle, hiring his neighbors, and choosing to keep the work in Tennessee when it would have been cheaper not to. His company runs as an ESOP with profit sharing, so the people who built it own it.
He is running because Tennessee gave him everything. His campaign answers to no party and accepts no donor money. His policy platform rolls out in summer 2026.
BY THE NUMBERS
FOR CITATION
The record, verified.
9
COMPANIES FOUNDED
11
U.S PATENTS
750
TENNESSEE JOBS
740K
SQ FT TN MANUFACTURING
30+
YEARS BUILDING IN EAST TENNESSEE
#1
HOT-TUB MANUFACTURER ON AMERICA SOIL
ESOP
EMPLOYEE-OWNED WITH PROFIT SHARING
O
DONOR DOLLARS ACCEPTED
PRESS RESOURCES
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Approved assets & working files.
BIO
David Hatley — long-form biography
Full background, business history, family, and origin in Carter County.
PHOTOS
Approved press photography
Headshots, plant-floor portraits, family photos, B-roll stills. High-resolution.
brand
Logo, wordmark & brand guidelines
PNG and vector logo files plus color and typography specifications.
EVENTS
Built in Tennessee Tour — schedule
EVENTS
The Big Day — press credentials
book
Tested in Tennessee
David’s forthcoming book. Excerpts available to credentialed media on request.
PRESS PROTOCOL
STANDING TERMS
How we work with reporters.
One point of contact
All press inquiries should be routed through the media contact below. Family members and staff do not comment on the record without coordination with the campaign press office.
Response window
We aim to respond to all credentialed press inquiries within 24 hours. For same-day deadlines, mark the subject line URGENT.
On the record – pre-policy
Through summer 2026, on-record comment is focused on David’s personal story, manufacturing record, and the Built in Tennessee Tour. Policy specifics roll out July–August.
Event credentialing
The Big Day is invitation-only press. Other tour stops are open to credentialed media with advance notice. Apply via the contact below.
PRESS PROTOCOL
STANDING TERMS
One door. One reply.
PRESS OFFICE
Hatley for Governor
All media inquiries, interview requests, photo and video requests, fact-checking, and event credentialing run through a single point of contact.
For same-day deadlines, use URGENT in the subject line.