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ECD Chief to Temporarily Leave Post for Romney Position

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Tennessee’s top economic development official has raised his hand for a temporary job with Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Commissioner Bill Hagerty – a longtime Romney supporter – is taking unpaid leave from his state job.

Hagerty will be a volunteer on the Romney transition team led by the governor of Utah. He played a similar role in 2008 with then-nominee John McCain.

Hagerty is currently in Japan on a state trade mission. But Economic and Community Development Department spokesman Clint Brewer says the commissioner sees his absence potentially benefiting Tennessee.

“I think that he feels Governor Romney winning the Presidency is in the best interest of the state.”

Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey will assume responsibilities over economic development.

Whether Romney wins or loses, Hagerty is scheduled to return to his post the day after the election, November 7th.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: , , ,

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Blake Farmer, Host, This Is Nashville

Blake Farmer is the host of “This Is Nashville,” the flagship weekday show of Nashville Public Radio. Previously, Blake spent 16 years at WPLN News, serving as host, editor and news director. Before a two-year radio hiatus with a Nashville-based healthcare company, Blake was one of the country’s most prolific healthcare audio journalists. He produced stories for both local and national programs, extending the reach of his reporting through a partnership with KFF Health News. Outside of work, Blake can be found running or biking on roads that other Nashvillians consider too busy for such activities. So far, he has always made it home to his wife of 20 years and two children.

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