Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MURPHY, Patrick J.
MURPHY, Patrick J. (Dubuque, IA, August 24, 1959-- ). Murphy became a state representative after winning a special election in 1989. He was the ranking Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee from 1995-2003 where his responsibility was to oversee the entire state budget for his Democratic colleagues. He was elected Democratic leader in 2003 after Dick Myers resigned the position and was re-elected leader following the 2004 elections.
Murphy served on the Legislative Council and the House Administration & Rules Committee. In his eight terms in the House, he worked on numerous issues related to human services, health care, and spending. As leader of the House Democrats, he directed the 2004 legislative campaign that picked up three additional Democratic seats in the House and the 2006 legislative campaign that took back the majority with 54 Democratic seats.
Murphy graduated from WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL in 1977 and received his B.A. from LORAS COLLEGE in 1980 in speech communication with minors in political science and history. In addition to operating his own business, he has worked in various capacities at MERCY HEALTH CENTER, CYCARE SYSTEMS, INC. as a quality assurance analyst/document specialist, and at HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES as a youth care worker. He has served on the faculty at Northeast Iowa Community College.
Murphy was involved with local youth sports in Dubuque, assisting a youth basketball team and serving as a volunteer umpire in baseball and referee in soccer. He was a member of the Dubuque Cable Commission when Dubuque became one of the first communities in the nation to offer 35 cable TV channels. Murphy also led efforts in his workplaces to raise money for the United Way and served as a Tiger Cub Scout volunteer.
Murphy was a 2014 Democratic candidate who sought election to the open United States House of Representatives seat in Iowa’s 1st District. He was defeated by Rodney BLUM in the general election on November 4, 2014.
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Source:
"Pat Murphy," The Iowa Legislature, Online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=82&personID=36
Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics, Online: http://ballotpedia.org/Patrick_Murphy_%28Iowa%29
