Tennessee State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) was arrested in Georgia on December 3 for driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and failing to stop at a stop sign.
The 77-year-old Republican senator was detained by Georgia State Patrol and booked into the Glynn County Detention Center. Yager was released the following day after posting a bond exceeding $2,100.
Serving in the Tennessee Senate since 2008, Ken Yager represents several counties, including Macon, Clay, Pickett, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, Campbell, and Roane.
More about Ken Yager
A longtime state senator from Tennessee, Ken Yager has devoted a significant portion of his professional life to serving the public. Originally from Tennessee, he started his career as a teacher before transitioning to law. He held the positions of Roane County Attorney and Roane County Executive for six terms.
After winning a seat in the Tennessee Senate in 2006, Yager was selected by his colleagues to lead the Senate Republican Caucus in 2018, where he actively promotes conservative ideas. He has chaired several important committees there, like the Joint Fiscal Review Committee and the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
A staunch advocate for fiscal conservatism, Yager serves on the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, where he helps craft Tennessee’s budget while maintaining a focus on low taxes and financial stability. Under his leadership, Tennessee has earned accolades for its long-term fiscal stability and strong credit rating.
In addition to fiscal matters, Yager is passionate about economic growth. He serves on the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee, where he works to attract businesses and create a supportive environment for small businesses to thrive in his district.
Outside of his political life, Yager is devoted to his family and faith. He and his wife, Malinda, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2023 and have two children, Bonnie-Marie and Will, along with a son-in-law, Jamie. The Yagers are active members of the First Baptist Church in Kingston.
He has an X (formerly Twitter) account, where he often posts and reposts. In his latest post on December 1, he wrote:
"Everyday should be Small Business Saturday. My parents owned a small business. My first job was a clerk in a small business. I know how important it is to support small business: the backbone of the local economy. #12districtnotebook"
Ken Yager released a statement after his arrest
“An unfortunate incident happened last night. On the advice of my attorney, I cannot discuss the particulars at this time. I am and will continue to cooperate fully with authorities to bring this incident to an appropriate conclusion.”
The Republican senator was arrested after authorities identified his Ford Edge, which had Tennessee Senate license plates, parked in a supermarket lot. This followed reports that the vehicle had been linked to a hit-and-run incident earlier, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
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When the authorities approached Yager, they reported that he smelled of alcohol but confirmed his involvement in the hit-and-run earlier. Yager was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to the Glynn County Jail after failing a breathalyzer test.
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