Uh, no. Herron IS a Republican in Democratic clothing. He disingenuously runs as a Democrat - because a Republican can't get elected dogcatcher in Bethel - then immediately switches his allegiance. And he not only throws in with the Republicans, but becomes part of their leadership. And a member of their Legislative Council - you know, the group which approved the illegal, no-bid contract for the opulent TajMahawker LIO. Which got Herron's vote. 

Of course, he voted lock-step with the Republicans to cut the Troopers' and education budget, while largely holding harmless hundreds of million$ of oil company credits. And he voted with the gutless Republicans to waste $$$ on a court challenge of Medicaid expansion, while refusing to actually allow a House vote on the issue.

So no, Herron is no Democrat, and it's about time that the Democratic Party called him out on it.

He would have no challenger if he ran in the Republican primary, but it is character-revealing that he won't.