Charles A. Murphy

Charles A. Murphy
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the Twenty First Middlesex district
In office 2003-present
Preceded by	Bradley Jones, Jr.
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 23rd Middlesex District
In office 1997–2003
Preceded by	Marianne Brenton
Succeeded by	J. James Marzilli, Jr.
Personal details
Born	Burlington, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Burlington, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Villanova University, Vermont Law School, Harvard University
Occupation	Attorney
Website	http://www.charleymurphy.org

Middlesex County

Charles A. "Charley" Murphy (born August 11, 1965 in Boston, Massachusetts^[1]) is the current representative of the 21st Middlesex District to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Biography

Murphy was raised in Burlington, Massachusetts. After graduating from the Burlington school system, Murphy went on to attend Villanova University and Vermont Law School.

As a second-year law student at Vermont Law School, Murphy joined the US Marine Corps, where he served from 1989 to 1994 and rose to the rank of Captain. Stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina, Murphy served a six-month tour as a Staff Judge Advocate for the commanding officer aboard the USS Guadalcanal that deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. During his time in North Carolina, Murphy also served as a military prosecutor and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He returned to New England following his military service and attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, graduating with an MPA.

Political career

Murphy was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1997 and is presently serving his sixth term. He represents the 21st Middlesex District, covering Burlington, Bedford, and Precinct 3 of Wilmington. In February 2009, Murphy was appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is responsible for considering all legislation affecting the finances of the Commonwealth. Murphy has also served as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee and was a member of both the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the Veterans Affairs Committees. A veteran himself, Murphy has sponsored and led the passage of legislation to provide tuition assistance and workforce training programs for veterans across Massachusetts.^[2] He has helped increase state aid to his district by 90% since he was elected. Murphy also played a key role in constructing the 2009 state budget, which contained historical increases for Chapter 70 education funding.^[3]

In 2003, Murphy was named “One of the Top 100 Democrats to Watch” by the Democratic Leadership Council, largely in recognition of his efforts to strengthen public safety policies and ensure equality in the state’s judicial system. Murphy was also named “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation and Southern Middlesex Legal Services.

In 2007, Murphy was a candidate for the 4th Middlesex district State Senate seat vacated by Robert Havern III. During the campaign, Murphy got into a physical altercation on the House floor with opponent and fellow Representative Patrick Natale.^[4] Murphy lost in the Democratic primary to J. James Marzilli, Jr.

Personal life

Murphy lives in Burlington with his wife Nan, an elementary school vice principal, and his two daughters, Amelia and Grace.

He is also an attorney at the firm of Gibson & Behman in Burlington.

External links

• http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/cam1.htm
• http://charleymurphy.org/

Preceded by Jay Hern

Massachusetts State Representative, Middlesex 21 1997–

Succeeded by Vacant

References

1. ^ 2007–2008 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. http://www.archive.org/stream/publicofficersof20072008bost#page/172/mode/2up. 
2. ^ http://www.charlesmurphy.org/index.cfm?pid=10245
3. ^ http://www.wickedlocal.com/burlington/news/x1946829803/MURPHY-ANNOUNCES-FISCAL-YEAR-2009-HOUSE-BUDGET-PASSED
4. ^ "Senate seat rivals take their beef to House". State House News Service. October 12, 2007. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view.bg?articleid=1037634. Retrieved 15 April 2011. 

Persondata
Name	Murphy, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 11, 1965
Place of birth	Burlington, Massachusetts
Date of death
Place of death