David Hatley

David Hatley is an Elizabethton-born entrepreneur and manufacturing executive running for Governor of Tennessee in 2026 as an Independent. He built nine companies over three decades, holding seven patents, and created over 750 jobs by keeping manufacturing operations in East Tennessee, including a leading hot tub manufacturer. He champions profit-sharing with employees and built a 740,000 sq ft manufacturing base. His "Elevate Tennessee" platform focuses on economic expansion, workforce development, and strengthening manufacturing and domestic supply chains. He emphasizes his background as a builder, not a bureaucrat, to make Tennessee the best place to live, work, and prosper.