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U.S. Senate
Bill Hagerty

Jewish Voter Guide

Bill Hagerty

U.S. Senate · TN · Republican

On the 2026 ballot

Summary

Incumbent Senator Bill Hagerty is the Republican nominee for reelection in Tennessee and will face Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw.

Senator Bill Hagerty is the incumbent Republican nominee for reelection in Tennessee. He has established a strongly pro-Israel record, supported continued U.S. security assistance, opposed efforts to block particular arms sales, and argued that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other threats. On April 15, 2026, Hagerty voted against advancing two resolutions that would have blocked proposed military sales to Israel. Hagerty has taken a hardline position on Iran, repeatedly stating in 2026 that Iran must have neither nuclear weapons nor nuclear-weapons capacity and that any agreement should require specific, verifiable denuclearization steps before economic relief. He has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization and criticized institutions for failing to call it one. Hagerty has also spoken against campus antisemitism and supported legislation targeting UNRWA and international bodies he views as hostile to Israel. His public record is thinner on direct Jewish- community engagement and security grants specifically for Jewish institutions.

The record

Positions come from public votes, statements and on-the-record interviews. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.

Support for a Strong U.S.-Israel Alliance

  • Hagerty has described Israel as a critical U.S. ally and has defended Israel's right to protect itself against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed threats.

  • On April 15, 2026, Hagerty voted against motions to discharge S.J. Res. 32 and S.J. Res. 138, which would have advanced resolutions blocking two proposed military sales to Israel.

Sources

Preventing a Nuclear Iran

  • In June and July 2026, Hagerty said Iran must not retain nuclear weapons or nuclear- weapons capacity and argued that economic relief should follow only specific, verifiable denuclearization steps.

  • In March 2026, Hagerty supported U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and said the objective was to eliminate Iran's nuclear capacity and restore deterrence.

Sources

Condemning and Combating Terrorism

  • Hagerty has repeatedly described Hamas as a terrorist organization and criticized Voice of America for guidance that discouraged calling Hamas members terrorists.

Source

Response to Hamas's October 7 Attack

  • Hagerty condemned Hamas's October 7 attack and has consistently supported Israel's efforts to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages.

Source

Fighting Antisemitism

  • In December 2025, Hagerty discussed rising antisemitism in the United States and abroad and said Jewish Americans should be able to live and worship safely without fear.

Source

Protecting Jewish Students on Campus

  • Hagerty has described antisemitism as rampant on college campuses and argued that universities and public officials must respond more forcefully to threats against Jewish students.

Source

Defending Israel in International Organizations

  • Hagerty has introduced legislation seeking to withhold funding from UNRWA unless the State Department certifies that the agency is not connected to anti-Israel extremism and has called for dissolving the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Israel.

Sources

Sources

A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.

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