Washington, D.C., politicians often forget some of the basic principles that got them there. It often seems they are only concerned about their own careers, how many social media followers they have, and many forget they are there to serve and do the best they can.
Since traveling across the enormous and diverse new 5th Congressional District, which stretches from Williamson and Maury Counties all the way to Memphis, I have been hearing from a wide variety of Tennesseans.
My takeaway is that folks are looking for someone who will stand by their principles but also work to get things done. They want leaders who are tired of politics and are looking for results. This doesn't mean abandoning
your values. It means doing the work to find solutions.
Work hard, get things done and serve others
As Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture, I had three key principles that I believe not only made our agency a success, but also guided me in my life and career as a farmer, a veterinarian, a businessman and a public servant. These principles are to work hard, get things done, and serve others. These three basic principles should be basic tenets in Washington. If I am fortunate enough to be the next congressman for Tennessee’s 5th District, I will apply the same principles in that job.
As a farmer, you cannot afford to be absent from the job. Your family and your business depend on action, hard work and determination to find solutions. When something goes unexpectedly on the farm, which happens more often than not, you have to move fast to solve the problem. That same sense of responsibility should happen in Congress.
Applying farm values to Washington's biggest challenges
We have some important issues that I want to tackle immediately upon getting elected. Fuel and food prices are too high. We must work to find solutions. Our infrastructure, roads and energy sources all need to be updated and improved. Government spending is out of control. We must get back to a balanced budget so that our children and grandchildren aren't paying for the country’s excesses.
Hard work, getting things done and a willingness to serve are my commitments to the voters and the people of the 5th District. If the voters elect me, they will have someone who can milk a cow, do a C-section on a dog or cat, negotiate a trade deal and work to balance the budget, all in one day.
As I wrote in my book “Farm Strong,” we are all products of God’s plan, our family and the choices we make. My choice will be to serve the 5th District with humility and a commitment to get the job done.
Dr. Charlie Hatcher is a fifth-generation Tennessee dairy farmer whose family has farmed in Williamson County for more than 200 years. Hatcher served as Tennessee's 38th commissioner of agriculture from 2019 to 2025 in the administration of Gov. Bill Lee. With more than 20 years in veterinary practice and a decade as Tennessee's state veterinarian, he is also a founder of Hatcher Family Dairy, Rock N Country Veterinary and Battle Mountain Farm.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Charlie Hatcher says public service comes before politics | Opinion
