Veteran Tennessee Democratic Legislator, Roy Herron, Passes Away Following Jet Ski Mishap

Roy Herron, a dedicated Democratic lawmaker in Tennessee, succumbed on Sunday to injuries incurred from a jet ski accident. Herron, who once held the position of chairperson for the state’s Democratic Party, was 69 years old.

His death took place at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, as per a statement released by his family. Herron had been under medical care following a July 1 jet ski collision on Kentucky Lake, leading to severe internal bleeding and significant harm to his arm and pelvis. The information was disclosed via the family’s Caring Bridge website.

The details of the accident are currently under investigation by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

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A native of Dresden, Tennessee, Herron, who was also a practicing attorney, devoted 26 years of service to the state’s House and Senate. His dedication to his role was such that he never missed a session, barring the birth of his youngest child. He helmed the state Democratic Party from 2013 to 2015.

Herron was a proud alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Martin and was among the pioneering students to acquire joint degrees in law and divinity from Vanderbilt University. An ordained Methodist minister, Herron’s contribution to literature includes three books, notably, “God and Politics: How Can a Christian Be in Politics?”

The funeral services are slated for Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Martin.

A flood of condolences was witnessed on Sunday. Al Gore, the former Vice President, honored Herron on Twitter as a cherished friend and a dedicated Tennessean. Democratic Representative Steve Cohen hailed Herron as “bright, diligent, and honest. A politician destined for greatness.” Republican Representative David Kustoff acknowledged Herron’s dedicated service to West Tennessee and the entire Volunteer State.

Chairman of the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, Jeremy Faison, praised Herron on Twitter as a person who was genuinely likable.

Joe Hill, who worked with Herron on numerous campaigns, highlighted his unwavering commitment to health care accessibility for underprivileged Tennesseans during his time in the state House. Hill also credited Herron with a commitment to education, victims’ rights, environmental quality, among other issues concerning the average person.

Herron’s unwavering advocacy for ‘the least among us’ will set a benchmark for future politicians in Tennessee, irrespective of party lines, according to Hill’s statement to The Big Big News on Sunday.

Herron’s empathetic nature was not just limited to his political arena. Hill reminisced about an instance when Herron drove 140 miles to be with him and his family in Memphis after Hill’s child was in a car accident.

Herron briefly ran for governor in 2010 and was the Democratic nominee for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District after then-Rep. John Tanner’s retirement, following a tenure of more than two decades. However, Herron lost to Republican Stephen Fincher in the general election.

In the wake of a tornado that hit his hometown of Dresden in 2021, Herron played a significant role in fundraising efforts, raising over $100,000 for the recovery mission.

“Roy was truly a dedicated public servant. He was relentless in pursuing causes he believed in, and he had a good heart,” Tanner said.

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

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More about Roy Herron Death

• Statement from Roy Herron’s Family
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
• University of Tennessee at Martin
• Vanderbilt University
• Al Gore’s Twitter
• Steve Cohen’s Twitter
• David Kustoff’s Twitter
• Jeremy Faison’s Twitter
• The Big Big News