Sources: State Senator entering governor's race

West Tennessee Democrat to be newest face in the 2010 crowd

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Roy Herron

It was supposed to be a secret meeting at the law offices of Bone McAllester Norton late yesterday. But where two or more politicos shall gather, word will get out.

The word that has come down from on high – well, at least the 16th floor of the Nashville City Center – is that State Sen. Roy Herron (D-Dresden) is running for governor.

Herron's name had been widely circulated in the Democratic ranks as being on the verge of throwing his hat into the 2010 governor's race. According to several NashvillePost.com sources that were in the room, Herron said that he is definitely a candidate.

The discussion centered on why he should run. Herron, a former minister, told the group that included Democratic campaign hitters from all across the state that he has an established network of fund-raising contacts and a proven track record of raising money for himself and others going back 25 years. In addition, his rural profile and voting record should be a good match for a race that will be largely played out in the state's rural areas.

Said one high-level Democrat who attended the meeting: "Many of us have urged Roy to make this race. He has the character and profile and personal story that will resonate with folks... There is no doubt in my mind  he'll be the class of the Democratic field, with the potential to be a formidable general election candidate. One thing's for sure: With Roy in the race, it's no longer a slam dunk for the Republicans."

Having Herron in the race will radically change the dynamics of the Democratic primary. Former State Rep. Kim McMillan and Nashville businessman Ward Cammack have already declared for the Democratic primary.

Mike McWherter, a Jackson businessman and son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, and State Sen. Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga) are rumored to be on the verge of entering the race as well.

At a Monday night event in Nashville honoring former State Sen. Anna Belle Clement O'Brien, the elder McWherter was enthusiastically telling attendees that his son will be running. The former governor's power base when he was in office was Dresden, which is now Herron's base.

State Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) and Knoxville businessman Doug Horne have been mentioned as possible candidates, but lately the rumor mill has been silent on their plans.

One note of interest, sources that were present at the Herron meeting said that the Tennessee Democratic Party and its chairman, Chip Forrester, were not discussed. The party and its chair were said to be "non-factors" in the governor's race.