Mark Herring facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Herring
47th Attorney General of Virginia
In office January 11, 2014 – January 15, 2022
Governor	Terry McAuliffe Ralph Northam
Preceded by	Ken Cuccinelli
Succeeded by	Jason Miyares
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 33rd district
In office February 1, 2006 – January 11, 2014
Preceded by	Bill Mims
Succeeded by	Jennifer Wexton
Member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors from the Leesburg district
In office January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2003
Preceded by	Joan Rokus
Succeeded by	Jim Clem
Personal details
Born	Mark Rankin Herring (1961-09-25) September 25, 1961 (age 63) Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Laura Herring ​ (m. 1990)​
Children	2
Relatives	Charles L. Waddell (step-father)
Education	University of Virginia (BA, MA) University of Richmond (JD)

Mark Rankin Herring (born September 25, 1961) is an American politician and lawyer. He served as the 47th Attorney General of Virginia from 2014 to 2022. The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer.

Mark Herring is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming Attorney General, he was a state senator for Virginia's 33rd district from 2006 to 2014. In 2021, he ran for a third term as Attorney General but lost to Republican Jason Miyares. He was the first Democratic Attorney General in Virginia since 1994.

Early Life and Education

Mark Herring was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. When he was 12, his family moved to Leesburg, Virginia. He was raised by his single mother, Jane Rankin Herring.

He graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 1979. To pay for college, he worked many different jobs, including in construction. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia. He studied foreign affairs and economics. He also received a Master of Arts degree in foreign affairs from the same university. Later, he earned a law degree (called a J.D.) from the University of Richmond School of Law.

Early Career in Public Service

Mark Herring started his career in public service in local government. He was elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and served from 2000 to 2003. He also worked as the town attorney for Lovettsville, Virginia, from 1992 to 1999.

He was elected to the Senate of Virginia in a special election in 2006. This election happened because the previous senator, Bill Mims, was appointed to a new job. Mark Herring was re-elected to the Senate in 2007 and again in 2011. He also runs his own law firm, The Herring Law Firm, P.C., in Leesburg, Virginia.

Serving as Attorney General of Virginia

Mark Herring served two terms as the Attorney General of Virginia. This role involves being the state's top lawyer and legal advisor.

Attorney General Elections

2013 Election

Herring delivering remarks during his 2013 campaign

In 2012, Mark Herring announced he would run for Attorney General. He won the Democratic primary election in June 2013 against Justin Fairfax. It was a close race, with Herring winning by 52% to 48%.

In the general election, he ran against Republican Mark Obenshain. The election was incredibly close. On election night, Obenshain was ahead by about 1,200 votes. As more ballots were counted, the lead changed. On November 12, 2013, Herring was ahead by only 165 votes. Obenshain asked for a recount. After the recount, Herring's lead grew to 907 votes, and Obenshain accepted the results. Mark Herring was sworn into office on January 11, 2014.

2017 Re-election

In 2017, Mark Herring ran for re-election. He did not face any opponents in the Democratic primary. In the general election, he defeated Republican John Donley Adams. Herring won with 53% of the votes, securing his second term.

2021 Election

In September 2020, Mark Herring announced he would seek re-election as Attorney General instead of running for governor. On November 2, 2021, he lost his re-election bid to Republican challenger Jason Miyares.

Key Actions as Attorney General

Marriage Equality in Virginia

In January 2014, Mark Herring announced that his office would not defend Virginia's law that banned same-sex marriage. He believed that the freedom to marry was a basic right. He filed a legal document asking for the law to be overturned.

This decision caused strong reactions. Many Democrats supported his move, while some Republicans criticized it. They argued that the Attorney General should defend all state laws. Herring stated that an Attorney General is not required to defend laws that are unconstitutional.

A federal court in Virginia ruled the ban unconstitutional in February 2014. This decision was upheld by a higher court in July 2014. The case eventually went to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court decided not to hear the appeal, which meant the lower court's decision stood. This made same-sex marriage legal in Virginia.

Fair Election Districts Case

In 2019, Mark Herring and the Democratic Party won a case about gerrymandering in Virginia. Gerrymandering is when election districts are drawn in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from the Republican Party, which helped ensure fairer election maps in Virginia.

Discussion About Past Actions

In 2019, a discussion arose when Mark Herring admitted to an incident from his college days in 1980. He said that when he was 19, he and friends dressed up as rappers they listened to and performed a song. As part of the costume, he wore dark makeup on his face. This admission came after a similar situation involving Virginia's Governor at the time. Herring had previously called for the Governor to resign, explaining that his reason was a change in the Governor's story, which led to a loss of trust.

Healthcare Law Case

As Attorney General, Mark Herring took a case related to the national healthcare law (often called Obamacare) to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Towing Company Lawsuit

In June 2020, Mark Herring filed a lawsuit against Advanced Towing Company, LLC. This company towed vehicles in Arlington, Virginia. The lawsuit claimed that the company's towing practices were often unfair, aggressive, and illegal, violating Virginia and Arlington County towing rules.

Personal Life

Mark Herring and his wife, Laura, live in Leesburg, Virginia. They have two adult children, a daughter named Peyton and a son named Tim. His step-father was former state Senator Charlie Waddell.

Images for kids

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  Mark Herring at a rally.