Herington was a long-serving local attorney and Chairman of the Portage County Democratic Party when appointed to replace Senator Bob Nettle in 1995, who had resigned.

[1] Easily winning reelection in 2000, Senate colleagues soon after voted to make Herington minority leader, the highest post in the caucus.

[3] Facing term limits in 2004, Herington announced in 2002 that he would run for Ohio Attorney General.

Soon after, in 2003, Herington resigned from the Senate, citing term limits and the desire to run for a Portage County judicial position.

Herington went on to lose a bid for Portage County Common Pleas Judge.