Hard Work

Roy Herron believes in hard work.

During 22 years in the Tennessee General Assembly, he has missed only one legislative session — the day his youngest son was being born. He has put over 360,000 miles on his pickup working for Tennesseans and conducted over 1,000 listening meetings with constituents, perhaps more than any Tennessee legislator.

Roy learned the value of hard work early in life. Working on his family’s farm, Roy drove a tractor and hauled hay, and he worked numerous jobs — from yard mower to construction worker — before going to college.

After working through college, divinity school and law school, Roy continued to use his work ethic and experience to serve the state. He now works as a businessman and small-town attorney, fighting for working Tennesseans. Even with his busy schedule, the former minister has still found time to teach Sunday School.

Roy’s determination and perseverance is evident even in what he does for fun: he runs marathons and swims/bikes/runs 140.6-mile Ironman Triathlons. This thirty-time marathoner and three-time Ironman Triathlete knows what it takes to get to the finish line.

Faith and Family

Roy Herron believes faith and family come first.

Growing up, his family, congregation, and community showed him what it means to love one's neighbors. After college, Roy studied the Bible and ethics as a Rotary Scholar in Scotland. He then attended Vanderbilt Law and Divinity Schools, where he became one of the first two to graduate with joint divinity and law degrees and where he taught for several years.

Roy has been a national leader in bringing faith and values to our politics. He is the author of God and Politics and Things Held Dear: Soul Stories For Our Sons, and he was the founding co-chair of FaithfulDemocrats.com. As a state legislator, he has helped pass landmark ethics reforms.

Roy’s faith and values were nurtured by his family. His father was wounded in World War II, went to law school through the GI Bill, and later served as a judge. His mother, Mary, a homemaker, mother of four, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of three, has been a model of service, compassion, and commitment. At age 92, she is still an inspiration.

Roy’s parents taught him common sense and Tennessee values. Roy is one of six Eagle Scouts in his family, including his two oldest sons, and his youngest son soon will become the seventh Eagle. Over the years, Roy has served as a volunteer Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and cross-country coach.

Indeed, Roy knows the best work is being a husband and father of three. Even after long days in session, he’d drive five hours round-trip back home just to watch a Little League game or be with Nancy and the boys. Indeed, his wife recalls that before their son Rick’s basketball tryouts, Roy drove home from Nashville every night that week just to help Rick practice.

In all that he does, Roy Herron is, first and foremost, a family man.

Fighting for Working Tennesseans

Throughout his career, Roy Herron has fought for working Tennesseans.

As a small-town attorney, Roy has served individuals, families and small businesses. He’s saved the job of a whistleblower who saved the jobs of co-workers and the lives of neighbors. He has made sure workers whose factory closed were paid what they were owed. He’s been a special prosecutor in murder cases, and he’s represented working families in times of crisis. He has helped people rightfully receive their health care, represented the widows and orphans of those killed by others’ negligence, and fought to see justice done when some would commit fraud or steal from honest employers.

As a state legislator, Roy has continued to fight for working families and protect consumers and honest businesses. Long before the current economic crisis, he foresaw problems with subprime mortgages and fought predatory lending, serving as lead sponsor on the Tennessee Home Protection Act.

He has also fought to make health care more affordable and accessible. He has passed laws making it easier for consumers to afford prescription medications, and he’s helped bring medical care to underserved areas while expanding access to higher education. He also has established the Ned R. McWherter Center for Rural Development to educate future leaders, offer scholarships for talented Tennesseans, and work for education and the jobs of the future.

Roy Herron also believes that hardworking people who play by the rules shouldn’t have to foot the bill for others’ greed. He has authored laws to strengthen penalties for Medicaid fraud and protect whistleblowers who expose Medicaid and health insurance fraud.

Roy will continue working to create good-paying jobs, improve education, increase access to health care, and protect working Tennesseans. He believes that all Tennesseans should have the opportunity to pursue the American dream.