Herron Talks Cuttin' Waste & Creatin' Jobs in 19 Counties
Cuttin' and Creatin' Tour: The week after the primary, Roy finished his "Cuttin' Spending and Creatin' Jobs Tour." He traveled to all 19 counties in the 8th District, talking about how we can cut spending in Washington and create jobs here in Tennessee. The crowds were great, and he has received a lot of positive press about the tour.
Herron concludes 'Cuttin' Waste and Creatin' Jobs' tour
Weakley County Press
By: Sabrina Bates, News Editor
http://www.nwtntoday.com/news.php?viewStory=45128
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - Sen. Roy Herron concluded his jobs tour with a stop in Dresden Saturday evening. Herron is the Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District race. He met with community members such as Brenda Lowrance (pictured) asking for their vote in November.
After the August election, the field of candidates seeking to take the helm upon Con. John Tanner's retirement has been narrowed to two - one Republican and one Democrat.
For the Democratic candidate who is hoping to join the lineage left by Blue Dog Dem Tanner, the road is long and winding across the 8th District.
"In seven days, we have visited 19 counties. I have met face-to-face and person-to-person with the voters," Herron told a crowd gathered in Richie and Reggie's Barbecue Saturday in Dresden.
The campaign stop was the last leg of the "Cuttin' Waste and Creatin' Jobs" tour for the Democrat.
"Fiscal sanity is an important factor right now in this district. The most important is creating jobs. Jobs, jobs, jobs," Herron said.
The state senator said the stop in Dresden is significant for him because those voters were the "closest" to him, not just geographically.
"I look around this room and I see people that I have grown up with. I see people who have supported me in all of my endeavors and your support right now means a great deal to me in this campaign," the Dresden native expressed.
Herron touched on the national leadership, recession and the staggering unemployment numbers in the 8th District.
"I didn't grow up during the Depression, but I was shaped by those who did. I will be fiscally responsible like you raised me to be," Herron told the crowd.
The candidate said Congress had spent money the nation didn't have and waste needed to be cut.
"There are certain things worth investing in. I don't believe in spending, but I believe in investing. The best social program ever invented is a good job," Herron added.
In District 8, one in five people are "underemployed, according to Herron, those who want to work full-time, but work only 20 to 30 hours a week.
District 8's Perry County shows that one in three people are unemployed, according to Herron.
"As disturbing as these numbers are, the situations are real. I have met children whose parents couldn't afford glasses for them. I have met children who didn't have new shoes to go to school in. We need to help people go from welfare rolls to payrolls," Herron said. In District 8, Herron reminded the crowd that the West Tennessee Megasite in Haywood County has the potential to impact those across the district.
With the creation of the port in Lake County and the interconnect of Interstate 69 through Obion County, District 8 is poised for economic growth, according to the state senator.
"I'll cut waste everywhere I can and I'll make some tough decisions when necessary. I offer you one word of hope: optimism. I am optimistic in the investments of our future. It's time to be tax makers, not tax takers," Herron added.
Herron faces Republican candidate Stephen Fincher, a farmer from Frog Jump.
Both vie for the 8th District Congressional seat.
Herron Claims County As Home Turf; Touts Fiscal Conservatism
Lake County Banner
By: Evan Jones, Banner Editor
http://www.lakecountybanner.com/news.php?viewStory=2284
Appearing before an audience made up mostly of friends and supporters in what is arguably the most Democratic leaning county in the Eighth Congressional District, state senator and Democratic U.S. Rep. candidate Roy Herron made an impassioned plea for votes and support Wednesday morning.
Herron appeared at the Lake County Courthouse on Wednesday, August 11 for an 8 a.m. meeting and talked, joked and pleaded with the 14 or so persons attending for more than 30 minutes.
Although he never called his Republican opponent Stephen Fincher by name, he was never far out of mind and Herron moved quickly to establish himself as "one of us."
"I guarantee you can put me out anywhere on Reelfoot Lake or out in Lake County and I will know where I am," he said. "It may take a minute or two but I will figure out if I am in Buzzard Slough or Little Ronaldson or somewhere out in the county where I know someone. My opponent can't say that."
He was introduced by county mayor Macie Roberson who said, "We've always appreciated Roy here in Lake County. He is our senator and congressman to be."
"Folks here in Lake County have always been special to me," Herron said in opening. "My father (Chancellor Grooms Herron) sat in this courtroom.
"Dad liked to hold court in Lake County during duck season. He hunted in Little Ronaldson with (James E.) Babe (Naifeh). Sometimes they had a limit of ducks before court began.
"It was tough times in Nashville this year. Budget negotiations were tough.
"The initial proposal (for the state budget) would have been much tougher on small counties."
Herron also painted himself as a fiscal conservative and said one of his top priorities, if elected to Congress, was cutting spending.
He said the two biggest issues were the budget deficit and the lack of jobs.
"My top priority is jobs, jobs, jobs."
But Herron also said he is optimistic about the future. "We can turn this thing around," he added.
He noted there is 13% unemployment in the Eighth District and in some counties like Lauderdale, Haywood and Carroll it is 18%.
"About one out of five persons in the 8th Congressional District is currently out of work," he noted.
Herron touted his support for the Cates Landing Riverport and said he believed that one day it would be the source of an economic boom not just for Lake County but for surrounding counties.
He also noted the progress for I-69 and state route 79 and said they were "at the top of my list."
Herron noted he was already under attack when Fincher made his victory speech and warned the audience there would be an attempt to link him to President Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
"You will be hearing all the time, Obama, Pelosi and Herron," he warned.
Herron said while he opposes some parts of the Obama healthcare plan, there are others that he thinks will be helpful and productive.
Dresden's Roy Herron offering fix in Congress
Union City Daily Messenger
By John Brannon
http://www.nwtntoday.com/news.php?viewStory=44858
State Sen. Roy Herron of Dresden says recent backlash at the polls reflects voter discontent about certain people, not the Democratic Party.
"I think the sentiment is anti-incumbent sentiment. We've seen that. People know that Washington is broken and needs to be fixed," he said.
A state senator, attorney and former Methodist minister, Herron won the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 5 primary election as the candidate for the Eighth District congressional seat being vacated by retiring Congressman John Tanner of Union City.
His opponent in the Nov. 2 general election is agri-businessman Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump. He won the Republican nomination in the Aug. 5 primary.
Herron said Eighth District voters want someone who knows how to do things right "and do things differently than the Washington way."
At the Obion County Courthouse Friday, he spent about an hour telling a crowd of about 50 gathered in the Circuit Court courtroom that he is that somebody.
On tour
Herron's visit to Union City was one of several in his "Cuttin' & Creatin'" tour to take his message to all 19 counties in the Eighth District. The tour began Aug. 9 and ended Saturday.
About the title of the tour, Herron said, "They said if I didn't pronounce g's, they weren't going to put them in a press release. Cuttin' and creatin'. We're talking about cutting waste, we're talking about creating jobs."
Introduction
At the courthouse gathering Friday, Herron was introduced by Allison Jones of South Fulton, daughter of Karen and John O. Jones. Ms. Jones, a political science student at the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a summer intern in the Herron campaign. "He has the most amazing work ethic that I have ever seen," she told the crowd in a courtroom bedecked with Herron for Congress banners. "He's been running back and forth throughout the Eighth District for this campaign. That's what we need in Washington - someone to represent the Eighth District and be a hard worker. I can think of no one that's a harder worker than Roy Herron."
"My opponent"
Herron's basic message Friday was succinct and to the point: "I am a Tennessee conservative, not a Washington radical."
Although he mentioned his Republican opponent several times, he never spoke his name. He instead referred to him as "my opponent," saying he wasn't surprised that his opponent came after him before the dust settled on the "ugliest, dirtiest, nastiest, most negative congressional primary campaign in the country."
Taking shots
Fincher's TV ads hit the air the day after the primary.
"The first $224,000 spent in this general election is being spent by an interest group that has the innocuous sounding name, ‘60-Plus,'" he said. "Let me tell you who 60-Plus is. They accuse me of such things as having backed (former Gov. Ned) McWherter. Gov. McWherter thought that working people ought to be able to get the same things as people on welfare, and that is health insurance for their families.
"The folks who are paying for those ads are the same folks who brought you the highest drug prices in the U.S. and kept (U.S. drug prices) higher than any other country on earth, the same people who charge multiple (prices for drugs) than what is paid in Canada, Mexico and all over the world.
"The big drug companies are financing it. And there's a reason they're for him and not for me. When it comes down to it, I'm going to be on your side trying to make those medication prices affordable. They've chosen their side and decided the horse they want to ride. And you know what? They're backing the right guy, because I'll be on your side, not theirs."
Others, too
Herron said there are "other folks" involved in the scheme - "the same wonderful folks who brought you the recession of 2008, 2009 and 2010, the folks on Wall Street who did all those great creative things such as reverse triple-option mortgages..."
And they had a good thing going for them, too. "They didn't care whether you won or lost, whether (their decisions) were sound or not, because either way, they got their fees," he said. "If you make money, they make money. If you lose money, they make money because they still get their fees."
These are the same folks backing 60-Plus, he added, and their top issue is to take Social Security and turn it into "Social Insecurity," taking the tax dollars that are paid into Social Security and gambling it on the stock market.
"These are the same folks who are bringing you $224,000 worth of TV advertising in this campaign on behalf of my opponent," Herron said.
"I predict that, as we go along, we'll see other so-called independent expenditures by other folks. They are going to be lined up.
"We'll find out who's behind it and who's paying for it. "You'll know which side he's on and which side I'm on.
"I believe in Social Security, ladies and gentlemen. I don't believe in turning it into Social insecurity. I don't believe in taking taxpayer dollars to gamble on Wall Street and leaving widows and vulnerable people at risk."
Differences
Herron said there are differences in him and Fincher, that among them is the fact that he himself is a Tennessee conservative and Fincher has "taken the position" of Washington radicals.
"He's already beholden to folks who will spend millions of dollars trying to elect him to Congress so they'll have somebody to do their will, not yours. That's what it really comes down to," he said.
"If you'll send me to Washington, my top priority is going to be fiscal responsibility, fiscal responsibility and fiscal responsibility and cutting spending, cutting spending, cutting spending."
John Brannon may be contacted by e-mail at jbrannon@ucmessenger.com.
Nominees Talk Social Security, Spending Cuts, Jobs
The Jackson Sun
By Mariann Martin
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20100815/NEWS01/8150315
CROCKETT COUNTY - Jobs, the economy and cutting government spending top the list of concerns for voters across the 8th Congressional District, according to the two candidates running for the seat in the November election.
Democratic candidate Roy Herron and Stephen Fincher, who swept the Republican primary nomination, wrapped up their first full week of campaigning in the general election on Saturday.
"It's been a good week ... putting the primary behind us and working toward the goal of winning this congressional seat," Fincher said Saturday afternoon. "We can focus on the issues of jobs and the economy - what people are really concerned about."
Fincher was in Tipton County on Saturday morning, but he also spent some time at his farm in Frog Jump to get ready for the upcoming corn harvest. Herron finished his 19-county tour with stops in Weakley, Crockett, Haywood and Gibson counties on Saturday. On Thursday, Fincher campaigned with his three opponents in the primary - Dr. Ron Kirkland, Randy Smith and Dr. George Flinn - who have thrown their support behind Fincher.
In Alamo, Herron greeted a group of supporters Saturday with the story of his family's motto of "waste not, want not."
"We need more folks in Washington like that," Herron said. After giving a short speech, Herron fielded questions about jobs and health care.
"People tell me they are scared about how Washington spending is out of control and debt is being piled on our children and grandchildren," Herron said earlier in a phone conversation.
The two men seek to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tanner in a race that was billed as the most expensive U.S. House primary and a closely watched race in the general election.
During interviews, Fincher and Herron both answered questions about their position on the Social Security Act, which turned 75 years old on Saturday.
Herron noted the first ad supporting Fincher since the primary has been paid for by the 60 Plus Association, a group that supports personal retirement accounts for senior citizens.
"My opponent thinks that it is a good thing to gamble Social Security tax money in the stock market, to risk people's savings and turn their tax dollars into social insecurity," Herron said. "I am committed to doing what we need to do so seniors can count on Social Security."
Fincher declined to say whether he opposed or supported privatizing Social Security but said he is committed to keeping the promises made to seniors.
"If we get our economy moving again and grow the pie, we can start moving in the right direction to keep those promises," Fincher said.
Fincher said he would work to have Social Security funds moved back to an independent fund, how it was initially created. The money now goes into a general fund.
When asked how he would ensure long-term sustainability for Social Security, Herron said he would work with both parties to come up with a solution.
During his campaign stop and his interview, Herron stressed he would work with both parties to create jobs and find ways to cut spending.
"One of the major differences between my opponent and myself ... he is committed to working with only half of the members of Congress," Herron said. "I am committed to working with anybody and everybody to do what needs to be done for the people of the 8th District, regardless of their political party."
Fincher said he believes this election cycle will bring a change to Washington, noting that many good candidates all over the country were running for public office.
"That is what is really refreshing about this political season," he said. "People tell me they feel like their representatives aren't listening to what they say -- they want a representative who is going to work for them ... who doesn't have a hidden agenda."
Herron Talks Jobs, Debt with Voters
The Leaf Chronicle
By Brian Eason
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20100814/NEWS01/8140314/Herron-talks-jobs-debt-with-voters
Congressional candidate Roy Herron told supporters at a Friday campaign stop his top three priorities in Tennessee were "jobs, jobs and jobs."
But for Washington, he's advocating "cuts, cuts and cuts."
A Democrat from Dresden, Herron won his party's nominating primary with ease last week. Incumbent Rep. John Tanner, D-Union City, announced late last year he would not seek re-election.
Herron spoke of the nation's deficit in stark terms, calling it "immoral" to leave the debt to future generations.
"I genuinely believe that the deficit is the greatest threat to this country since my father and millions of other brave soldiers went off to World War II," he said.
In his speech, Herron didn't outline any specific proposals for deficit reduction, but noted Congress would have to make "serious cuts."
"I'm about the tightest person you know," Herron said of his spending habits, noting that his truck has 400,000 miles on it. "If I'm not the tightest person you know, I'd like you to introduce me to the tightest person you know so I can learn from him."
On jobs, Herron said despite high unemployment he felt Tennessee was positioned well for recovery.
"In the midst of the deepest recession Tennessee has ever known, we've landed not one, not two, but three billion dollar industries, one of them here in Clarksville, in Hemlock (Semiconductor LLC)," Herron said.
He said keeping a business-friendly climate was crucial, alluding to low taxes, and added that roads and education were also important.
Herron, a former state legislator, will battle Republican Stephen Fincher for the Eighth District seat, a Democratic stronghold for much of the last century. Only two Republicans have held the seat since the 1800s and for just one term each.
"I'm a Tennessee Democrat," Herron said, asked how his political views matched up with the national platform. "I'm a Tennessee conservative and he (Fincher) is a Washington radical."
Herron pointed to their stances on abortion as one example. Herron said Fincher is on record opposing all abortions, regardless of circumstance.
"We're both pro-life, but he believes that even if a woman's life is endangered (by pregnancy), the federal government ought to decide that she cannot save her own life," Herron said, adding that Fincher opposed abortion rights in cases of rape and incest.
His views diverge from that of the national Democratic Party on several issues, including, he said, whether to end the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush. Herron said he would renew them in their entirety, while the Obama administration has advocated letting them expire for the highest income brackets.
"Whatever you might say about multi-millionaires and folks in upper income levels, changing the tax laws in the midst of a deep recession is misguided," he said.
Herron Makes Stop in Dyersburg
The Dyersburg State Gazette
By State Gazette Staff
http://www.stategazette.com/story/1656500.html
Roy Herron, the Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Dyersburg on Wednesday evening as part of his "Cuttin' Waste and Creatin' Jobs Tour" across the 19-county district.
Herron met with supporters at Cruizer's Restaurant and spoke about issues currently affecting Dyersburg as well as surrounding counties.
Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority Chairman/Dyersburg Electric System President and CEO Jimmy Williamson introduced Herron to the audience, but first noted the significance of the port project.
Herron opened by saying he was privileged to serve as the state senator of Dyer County, about 14 years ago, until the district was redrawn.
"There are a lot of folks I love in the Senate, but the people that ganged up on me and said Dyer County would no longer be in my Senate district, I did not appreciate it," said Herron. "And to this day hold a little grudge, despite what scripture says about forgiveness."
Herron made note that if he is elected the top three priorities in Washington will be "cuttin' spending, cuttin' spending and cuttin' spending". And when he is back in Tennessee his top three priorities will be "jobs, jobs and jobs".
He pointed out that he drove his truck that has 400,000 miles on it and it was in the parking lot. He then told about his grandparents, noting he garnered his work ethic from them and said this is why he finds it unacceptable that Washington is piling up the federal debt at a rate of a trillion dollars or more a year.
"I don't know how long you can keep going while piling up debt at a rate of one trillion dollars a year," said Herron. "I'll tell you this, I don't think it's very long.
"They need a few folks in Washington who don't mind driving a truck with 400,000 miles on it, who don't mind looking to see where can they can cut spending," said Herron. "They need a few folks up there who will quit spending what we don't have for things we cannot afford."
Herron said once elected he would continue to work for his constituents in Washington like he has for them in Tennessee. He noted that while in the Tennessee Legislature they balanced their budget and he believes Washington should do the same.
He added that he learned that you don't spend money that you don't have and you don't increase debt that people's children and grandchildren will have to pay back.
"We're in danger of becoming the first generation in American history to leave this country in worse shape than we got it," said Herron. "We don't want to do that. We ought not do that and if you elect me, I will do everything I can to make sure we don't do that."
Herron then focused his attention to speak about the Port of Cates Landing project, which would alleviate 30 percent of the poverty in Dyer, Lake and Obion counties once it is fully operational. He thanked Williamson for his work on the project and said Congressman John Tanner and Rep. Judy Barker and Rep. Craig Fitzhugh had been working to get state funds for the local match for federal funding. He said he was sure Tanner will get the $20 million in federal funding needed for the port, but if by chance Tanner didn't, he would make it a priority if elected.
"If he cannot, I will pick up the banner that he has carried," said Herron. "I will do everything that I possibly can. It will be a priority for me to get that funded, so we can grow those jobs that Jimmy (Williamson) has talked about. One thousand in the immediate future and more down the road. It could be an economic engine."
Herron stated the best social program ever invented is a good-paying job and that is what families need to raise their dignity and self-respect.
He then talked about the I-69 superhighway, soon to make its way through the state and Dyer County.
"I-69 will put Dyersburg, Tennessee right where you want to be," said Herron. He stated that no place in the country will be better situated to have access to interstate highways and the port project would add to the benefits and potential opportunities.
"You'll be in the place where you can grow and you will see additional jobs like you have never seen before," said Herron.
He mentioned the situation that Dyer County is facing with the upcoming shutdown of Dyersburg's largest employer, Worldcolor.
"I know the lick that this county has taken with Worldcolor," said Herron.
He said residents may be going through difficult times, but the potentials that are available can come to fruition, making Dyer County prosperous.
"We're in a position, ladies and gentlemen, where they can be as good here as anywhere in the state or in the country, right here in Dyer County," said Herron.
He said he and his wife are passionately committed to education. He noted that Tennessee was one of only two states to win $500 million in the federal Race to the Top education grant. He said the money would be used to give teachers the tools to create better students.
"We're going to support teachers," said Herron. "We're going to demand of teachers. We're going to give teachers the opportunity so that they can be the best teachers they possibly can be. And so that the students can learn as much as they can possibly learn. So that they can be the citizens who grow up, and are ready to take the jobs that can be here for them in the years ahead."
Herron closed by saying he would never stop working if given the chance to start.
"I won't forget you sent me up there, and I won't forget where home is. I'll be home all the time," said Herron. "Thank you for being so kind to me in the past. Thank you for what you're doing for me in the present and I'll look forward to working with you in the future."
Photo: http://www.stategazette.com/story/1656500/photo/1375509.html
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TGFhy0y5iM&feature=player_embedded
Herron Calls on Erin, Dover
The Stewart Houston Times
By Kevin Sauls
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20100813/STEWART01/100813006
State Senator Roy Herron made campaign stops in Houston and Stewart counties on Thursday night in his race against Stephen Fincher in the 8th Congressional District.
During speeches in Erin and Dover, Herron (D-Dresden) pulled no punches in claiming that Fincher (R-Frog Jump) is "trying to bring out the worst in folks."
Herron held to the Democrat mantra of blaming former President George Bush for the country's economic woes, and reiterated that his "top three priorities" are "jobs, jobs, jobs," in Tennessee "cutting the spending, cutting the spending, cutting the spending" in Washington.
The Fincher campaign will respond with an appearance in Tennessee Ridge on Tuesday (see separate story).
For more on Herron's visit, see the Aug. 17 issue of The Stewart Houston Times.
Sen. Roy Herron Visits Paris TN
Paris Post-Intelligencer
http://parispi.net/articles/2010/08/11/news/local_news/doc4c62d3c9b8a86804321950.txt
State Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, speaks to a group of followers Tuesday night during a campaign stop at Tom's Pizza & Steak House in Paris. Herron is the Democratic nominee for U.S. House of Representatives for the 8th District. The election is in November.
http://parispi.net/content/articles/2010/08/11/news/local_news/doc4c62d3c9b8a86804321950.jpg
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