The old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” fits no Tennessee elected official better than Nashville Rep. Harold Love Jr. Through both his education and political career, Love Jr. stands out in his commitment to continuing his father’s legacy.
Harold Love Sr.’s political career began in 1961 with his election to Nashville’s city council, and eventually ended in the same role his son now plays in the General Assembly. Harold Love Jr. was born in 1972, fully immersed in this world of politics.
“By the time, I’m 5, 6 years old, my father’s good enough in his journey. I mean, good enough in the sense that he’s not a freshman legislator but someone who understands how things work and the processes,” said Love Jr.
Love’s dedication to politics began in the summers he spent campaigning and advocating for his father’s re-election.
“Every two years out there, knocking on doors, asking folks to vote for my father,” Love said.
Love grew up in a family home on Buchanan Street, where he, his four sisters, mother and father all had to share one bathroom.
Even as his parents became more established in their careers, they made sure to raise Love and his sisters to not forget about where they came from.
“And by that, I mean that we cannot sit by and say we’ve achieved our level of success and we’re going to forget about those who are not in the same situation,” said Love.
Balancing fun and responsibility was a lesson learned early.
“It was a fun atmosphere at home — playing basketball, enjoying a pinball machine — but it was understood that you cannot jeopardize what has to be done for the sake of having fun,” he said.
Love saw that play out in real life while studying at Tennessee State University.
“Well, junior year, my grades dropped after being initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. It was my own fault,” he said. “Grades dropped, lost my scholarship. Mother said, ‘You moving back home. You’re going to stay home. You’re going to take an overload, and you are going to not march this fall.'”
Being at home, Love got his grades back in great shape and graduated in 1994 with the rest of his freshman class.
Love said while his father was his main inspiration, he gained broader perspective during Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators retreats. These highlighted the challenges faced by African-American lawmakers in the past — a history that added depth to Love’s commitment to his community.
“That’s how the Black Caucus got formed, because the Black members were not being treated fairly. And out of that, I was taught and appreciate my father talking about the fact that he didn’t get treated fairly in seniority either, that it took two or three times for him to move from vice chair to chair.”
Love was elected to the House in 2012, after multiple failed runs for office. Once he was sworn in, House Speaker Beth Harwell approached him.
“Speaker Harwell says to me, ‘You know, your father treated me great, better than any other Democrat when we were in the minority and they were in the majority. If there’s anything I can do to help you, let me know,'” Love recalled.
Love already had a request ready: He wanted to get his father’s old number for his office. The wish was ultimately granted.
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