Mercer Could Be A Headache For Herron

By Kleinheider Posted on December 8, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Sen. Roy Herron may have a bit of real competition for the Democratic nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat:

Mercer is also armed with pretty politically potent last name — at least in Jackson. His mother, Shirlene, is a community activist who was involved in the desegregation of the city as a freshman at Lane College nearly five decades ago, rallied East Jackson against a swath of violent crime in the 1990s and worked in Tanner’s Jackson office for several years. His father, Luther Sr., is a Madison County commissioner.

While being the son of Shirlene Mercer — who is at least respected by most in the Madison County political community — will certainly get Luther II some votes, it will be interesting if any rivals attempt to attack Mercer because of his father’s recent performance and racially divisive stances as a county commissioner.

Luther Sr. has been oft criticized for his poor attendance of commission meetings and he’s been booted off multiple county committees for not showing up in recent years.

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