RUNNING - Ron Herron says he'll oppose Ken Sorensen as State Rep.

Herron puts hat in State Rep ring

By ERIC P. LARSEN - Island News Staff Writer
 

Ron Herron, who has served as assistant city manager for Key West and executive director for AIDS Help, has announced that he will oppose  Ken Sorensen for  the State Representative District 120 seat that serves Monroe County in the fall 2000 election. 
Herron is running as a Democrat, and said he is most displeased with the things that are happening in Tallahassee.
"My 23 years of work on community issues up and down the Keys speaks for itself," Herron said. "I'm unhappy with what I see happening in Tallahassee. Special interests, not the average citizens, are being represented – not supporting trigger locks on handguns, not supporting the cleanup of Florida Bay and offshore waters, weakening of women's rights. Our own school board is passing resolutions condemning what Tallahassee is doing with school vouchers."
Herron, while well-versed in Key West issues, said his first step is to spend a great deal of time in the Middle and Upper Keys, listening to people.
"I also have to raise campaign funds," Herron said. "There were a lot of PAC [Political Action Committee] funds in the last election, and I expect there will be a lot of them next year, too."
Herron has been a Keys resident since 1976. He currently serves as the trustee for the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District and as Chairman of the County Emergency Food and Shelter Board.
Herron was a founding member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, the Adult Guardianship Program, the Key West AIDS Memorial and served on the committee to preserve the Key West Bight.
"While my professional experience has permitted me to work with many groups and citizens in our county," he said, "I feel my direct involvement on more than 25 volunteer boards and committees has allowed me to learn and be responsive to the vital needs of our citizens."
Herron said voters need to really think about the issues for the 2000 vote.
"The issues coming up in the next term are huge issues," Herron said. "Residents will need a strong voice to fight for their interests. I would like the opportunity to be their voice in state government."
Herron is engaged to Ruthie Adams, a local nurse, and has an adult daughter, Robyn, who lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands.