Roy Herron
Encyclopedia
Roy Herron is the Tennessee State Senator
for the 24th district. He was defeated as the 2010 Democratic
nominee for U.S. Representative for November 2, 2010.
The district encompasses Benton, Decatur, Henry, Henderson, Lake, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley counties.
in 1975, and from Vanderbilt University
in 1980, with a M.Div. and a J.D.
In 1975 and 1976 he was a Rotary Scholar in Scotland
at the University of St. Andrews. Herron represented The University of Tennessee at Martin, and was the 9th Governor of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
, a statewide organization of college students. Before serving as Governor, he was Lieutenant Governor of the organization.
Herror works as an attorney, a businessman, and as adjunct faculty at Vanderbilt University. He is a former United Methodist
minister, and is also the co-chair of FaithfulDemocrats.com, an online community for Democrats of Christian faith.
in 1986 to fill Governor Ned McWherter
's seat. He served in the House in the 95th through 99th Tennessee General Assemblies
and has served in the Senate since the 100th General Assembly. He is floor leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth. He is also a member of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Joint Tenncare
Oversight Committee, the Joint Select Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Charitable Gaming.
announced his retirement. This virtually assured him of victory in the August 2010 primary; his state senate district is virtually coextensive with the western portion of the congressional district.
Herron faced Republican nominee Stephen Fincher
, Tea Party candidate Donn Janes, who earlier dropped out of the Republican primary, and Independent Mark J. Rawles. Herron lost to Fincher by almost 20 points in November in the massive Republican wave that swept through Tennessee.
Herron did not have to give up his state senate seat to run in the congressional race; Tennessee state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Herron is not up for reelection again until 2012.
Tennessee Senate
The Tennessee Senate is the upper house of the Tennessee state legislature, which is known formally as the Tennessee General Assembly.The Tennessee Senate, according to the state constitution of 1870, is composed of 33 members, one-third the size of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Senators...
for the 24th district. He was defeated as the 2010 Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee for U.S. Representative for November 2, 2010.
The district encompasses Benton, Decatur, Henry, Henderson, Lake, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley counties.
Early life, education and career
Roy Herron graduated from the University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
in 1975, and from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in 1980, with a M.Div. and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
In 1975 and 1976 he was a Rotary Scholar in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
at the University of St. Andrews. Herron represented The University of Tennessee at Martin, and was the 9th Governor of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature is an annual legislative session conducted by college students from across Tennessee, providing students over with an education about Tennessee state government and a channel to express their opinions on state issues.This model legislature convenes...
, a statewide organization of college students. Before serving as Governor, he was Lieutenant Governor of the organization.
Herror works as an attorney, a businessman, and as adjunct faculty at Vanderbilt University. He is a former United Methodist
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
minister, and is also the co-chair of FaithfulDemocrats.com, an online community for Democrats of Christian faith.
Tennessee Legislature
Herron was first elected to the Tennessee House of RepresentativesTennessee House of Representatives
The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.-Constitutional requirements:...
in 1986 to fill Governor Ned McWherter
Ned McWherter
Ned Ray McWherter was an American politician who served as the 46th Governor of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995. He was a Democrat.McWherter was born in Palmersville, Weakley County, Tennessee...
's seat. He served in the House in the 95th through 99th Tennessee General Assemblies
Tennessee General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.-Constitutional structure:According to the Tennessee State Constitution of 1870, the General Assembly is a bicameral legislature and consists of a Senate of thirty-three members and a House of Representatives of...
and has served in the Senate since the 100th General Assembly. He is floor leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth. He is also a member of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Joint Tenncare
TennCare
TennCare is the U.S. state of Tennessee’s health care insurance program. It is designed to expand health insurance to the uninsured through the state’s Medicaid program by utilizing managed care to reduce the costs of health care...
Oversight Committee, the Joint Select Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Charitable Gaming.
2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
In April 2009, Herron announced that he would be running for Governor of Tennessee in the Democratic primary, but in December 2009, he declared as a candidate for after John S. TannerJohn S. Tanner
John S. Tanner is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1989 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:Tanner was born in Halls, Tennessee, and grew up in Union City, Tennessee...
announced his retirement. This virtually assured him of victory in the August 2010 primary; his state senate district is virtually coextensive with the western portion of the congressional district.
Herron faced Republican nominee Stephen Fincher
Stephen Fincher
Stephen Lee Fincher is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. The seat was vacated by retiring Democratic incumbent John S. Tanner. Fincher defeated Democratic Tennessee state senator Roy Herron in the 2010 mid-term Congressional general election.- Early life...
, Tea Party candidate Donn Janes, who earlier dropped out of the Republican primary, and Independent Mark J. Rawles. Herron lost to Fincher by almost 20 points in November in the massive Republican wave that swept through Tennessee.
Herron did not have to give up his state senate seat to run in the congressional race; Tennessee state senators serve staggered four-year terms, and Herron is not up for reelection again until 2012.
Endorsements
Herron was endorsed by the state's two largest newspapers, the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Nashville Tennessean.Works
- Roy Herron, Things Held Dear: Soul Stories for My Sons, Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (July 1999), ISBN 978-0664221478
- Roy Herron (author), L.H. Cotton Ivy (contributor), Tennessee Political Humor: Some Of These Jokes You Voted For, Univ Tennessee Press (November 29, 2000), ISBN 978-1572331020
- Roy Herron and Dan Taylor, How Can a Christian Be in Politics?: A Guide Toward Faithful Politics (Vital Questions), Tyndale House Publishers (March 3, 2005), ISBN 978-0842381086
- Roy Herron, God and Politics: How Can A Christian Be In Politics?, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 9, 2008), ISBN 978-1414323053
External links
- Senator Roy Herron official Tennessee General Assembly site
- Roy Herron for United States Representative official campaign site
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org