State Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, announced today he is leaving the governor's race and will run for Congress in Tennessee’s 8th District. That seat has long been held by John Tanner, who is not seeking re-election.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney issued the following statement on the retirement of Rep. Tanner:

"We wish him well, but Congressman Tanner's decision really is no surprise. He knew he was facing an uphill climb in his re-election given the strong Republican challenge facing him and the concern about the radical direction Congressman Tanner's Party is attempting to take the country. Any Democrat wanting to take his place, such as Roy Herron, will face these challenges as well."

Senator Lamar Alexander said, “John Tanner has been a principled, independent voice in our state and federal governments for three decades. Our country will miss his ability to work across party lines to get results and so will I.”

Sen. Herron said, "Today, I’m announcing my candidacy to represent Tennessee’s 8th District in the United States Congress.

"I congratulate my long-time friend John Tanner for his service to the district, the state, and the country. He has demonstrated by example that Democrats can and must be committed to fiscal responsibility, a strong military, and an unrelenting dedication to speaking up for working families. Tennessee and America are fortunate indeed to have had John in our service. As much as I regret his decision not to continue his service, I respect his reasons for it.

"I now ask the people of this district for the opportunity to serve them in Congress. Congressman Tanner and Congressman Jones before him have set a standard of service to our area and our nation that I will strive every day to match.

"I will create a Congressional committee, and begin immediately to raise funds and assemble a staff for this endeavor. At the same time, I have begun the process of winding up my campaign for Governor.

"My family’s lived in Tennessee since 1819. This has always been my home, and it always will be. I’ve worked hard for my neighbors and fellow Tennesseans in the 11 counties I have represented in the General Assembly. In 23 years, I’ve missed only one day of a legislative session – the day our youngest son was being born. I have held more than a 1,000 listening meetings with those I represent, and believe I understand their needs and can represent their values.

"In Nashville, I’ve helped balance 23 state budgets, and I’ve done so while voting against raising the sales tax and voting against an income tax. I know how to cast tough votes, and make the cuts necessary to balance our budgets. I know that we cannot and should not pile debt on our children and grandchildren. To do otherwise would risk their future or our country’s future.

"Our nation is facing many challenges in this time of global economic upheaval, war, and domestic uncertainty. These challenges affect every family in the 8th District every day. I have seen the struggles of families and small businesses. In Congress, I will commit myself fully to creating jobs and economic opportunity, making health care accessible and affordable, making our nation energy independent while protecting our environment, and lifting the voices of the people of the 8th District to the floor of Congress.

"If the people will let me serve them in Congress, I will take our Tennessee values to Washington and fight for them every day."

Sen. Herron was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986. He has served in the state legislature for 23 years, including 13 years in the Senate, where he was Democratic Floor Leader and Democratic Caucus Chair.

A small-town attorney, businessman, and former minister, he has also written three books, including Tennessee Political Humor and God and Politics. For fun, he runs marathons, and he has completed three 140.6-mile Ironman triathlons. He lives in Dresden with his wife of 22 years, Nancy. Soon his third son will join his father and brothers as an Eagle Scout, the seventh in their family.

Stephen Fincher, Republican candidate for the Eighth Congressional District seat, issued the following statement:

“I want to thank Congressman Tanner and his wife Betty Ann for their service to our state and nation. But our mission has never been about John Tanner personally. Our mission is about saving our country for our children and grandchildren. It is about stopping the Washington way and the Obama-Pelosi agenda. My roots run deep in Tennessee, not politics. And this is a time for citizens and patriots, not politicians. I look forward to debating the issues with the Democrat nominee, and hearing their defense of the Obama-Pelosi agenda.

“Everything has changed, and nothing has changed. One candidate will go to Washington to fight the Obama-Pelosi agenda, and the other will go to embrace and support it. That’s the fundamental difference in this race, regardless of who the Democrats nominate. I look forward to the coming debate.”

Mr. Fincher said he raised over $300,000 in just over five weeks in the third quarter, "and continues to raise more money than almost any candidate in the nation."