David and his wife, Deb, have built a blended family of four children. Together, they've grown their family businesses across manufacturing, industrial work, retail, and hospitality. Over roughly thirty years, Hatley built and rebuilt nine companies from nothing. He built the #1 hot tub manufacturer on U.S. soil, developed 740,000 square feet of Tennessee manufacturing space, and secured 11 patents, all while keeping every job on Tennessee soil.

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Today, roughly 750 people work for him across his companies. For over ten years, David and his family have hosted America's Bash, a Fourth of July event honoring veterans and giving back to them, including granting wishes for veterans in the community. The event brings together employees, veterans, and community members who gather to celebrate together, with nothing asked in return. David is running for Governor because of what those thirty years taught him: how to meet a payroll, weather a setback, fix what's broken, own a mistake, and pass along the rewards to the people who earned them alongside him.

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He's spent his career doing the work, not talking about it, and that's exactly the approach he intends to bring to the Governor's office. David Hatley is now running as an independent candidate for Governor of Tennessee in 2026, self-funding his campaign with no donors and no party affiliation. Politicians promise, Hatley delivers.

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