Atsumi Hagimori

Atsumi Hagimori (born March 1, 1960) is an American businesswoman, former diplomat and perennial candidate. She was United States Ambassador to Sentan from 2014 to 2016. She ran in the 2009, 2013 and 2021 New York mayoral elections, the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections, and for the United States senate in 2018. She is currently running in the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries.

Hagimori is the president and CEO of Restaurant Franchises Corporation, which owns locations of, , Wimpy, , and , and also owns Bell Broadcasting, which owns radio and TV stations in small markets in New York, California and Michigan. She is also the executive producer of the nationally syndicated Asian pop culture TV show AsiaPopTV, which won a New York Emmy Award in 2013.

Early life and education
Atsumi Hagimori was born in, the daughter of a Japanese mother and Sentanese father.

After graduating from, Hagimori lived for periods of time in and  before settling in.

Business career
Hagimori worked various jobs upon arrival in New York, before being hired to bake pizzas and wait tables at a. She worked her way up, eventually being promoted to manager, and later received a loan to buy out the retiring franchisee and become a Pizza Hut franchisee herself.

Hagimori's company, Restaurant Franchises Corporation, owns franchises of Pizza Hut,, Wimpy, , and. It is one of Pizza Hut's largest franchisees.

She is founder and Chairwoman of the Board of Bell Broadcasting, a owner of radio and TV stations in small markets. Bell produces and distributes the nationally syndicated Asian pop culture TV show AsiaPopTV, which Hagimori is an executive producer for.

2009 New York mayoral campaign
Hagimori first ran for in 2009, being one of several challengers to incumbent mayor. She ran as a Democrat.

Hagimori staked out a number of positions, including advocating for bringing a casino to New York City, public transit improvements (such as closing and replacing and building a direct rail link to connect the  with the ) and extensive police reform.

Hagimori's endorsement was actively sought by both candidates in the runoff. Hagimori declined to endorse either Bloomberg or.

2013 New York mayoral campaign
Hagimori announced in November 2012 that she would be running for Mayor of New York City a second time in the 2013 mayoral election, again as a Democrat.

Hagimori's electoral positions included building a new airport to replace, re-acquiring the group, supporting small businesses and ending corruption.

During her campaign, Hagimori generated controversy for placing electoral advertising in several restaurant franchises she owned. Hagimori defended this practice, saying she wanted to "reach more voters".

Again, Hagimori's endorsement was actively sought by both candidates in the runoff. Hagimori endorsed.

2016 U.S. presidential campaign
On January 1, 2016, Hagimori announced she would be running as a candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 election. She ran as a Democrat. Hagimori's running mate was Samuel G. Jenson, a psychologist and author.

The Hagimori campaign bought extensive advertising in the swing states of, and.

Hagimori was on the ballot in several states during the 2016 Democratic primaries. Hagimori dropped out on April 12, 2016.

In the general election, Hagimori voted for nominee.

2021 New York mayoral campaign
Hagimori announced shortly after dropping out of the presidential election that she would be running in the 2021 New York mayoral election as a Democrat. In the winter, Hagimori donated various resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hagimori's campaign cited key issues in her platform as being small businesses, increasing safety, and "rebuilding" New York City. Hagimori advocated for expansions of and improvements towards public transport, police reform, economic improvements and ending corruption. She also supported bringing a second casino to New York City (after MGM Manhattan), building a new airport, and other issues.

In the runoffs, Hagimori endorsed.

U.S. Ambassador to Sentan
On December 3, 2013, President nominated Hagimori to be United States Ambassador to Sentan. She was confirmed by the Senate on February 9, 2014 via voice vote. She took office and presented her credentials to Prime Minister Isko Hazakte on March 10, 2014.

On January 1, 2016, Hagimori stepped down as ambassador to Sentan to run in the United States presidential election.

Political positions
Hagimori self-identifies as a libertarian-socialist Democrat.

In the 2016 United States Presidential general election, Hagimori personally voted for nominee.