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.
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