Tim Murphy (American politician)

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Timothy Francis Murphy (born September 11, 1952) is an American former politician and psychologist who served as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district from 2003 until his resignation in 2017.[2] The district included several suburbs south of Pittsburgh. A member of the Republican Party, he also represented the 37th Senate district in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1996 to 2003. Murphy consistently carried the 18th district with at least 58% of the vote, including unopposed re-election bids in 2014 and 2016.

Tim Murphy
Official portrait, 2013
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – October 21, 2017
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byConor Lamb
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 37th district
In office
January 7, 1996 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byMichael Fisher
Succeeded byJohn Pippy
Personal details
Born
Timothy Francis Murphy

(1952-09-11) September 11, 1952 (age 72)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseNanette Missig
Children1
Education
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Rank Commander[1]
UnitUnited States Navy Reserve

In October 2017, it was reported Murphy urged a mistress to have an abortion despite his strict public anti-abortion stance, which was followed by reports of endemic abuse and harassment in his congressional office.[3][4] Murphy resigned immediately following these scandals, with his seat claimed by Democrat Conor Lamb in a special election.[5]

Early life, education, and psychologist career

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One of eleven children,[2] Murphy was born in Cleveland and was raised in Northfield, Ohio, where he attended St. Barnabas Catholic School and Walsh Jesuit High School. He received his Bachelor of Science from Wheeling Jesuit University, his MA from Cleveland State University, and his PhD in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.[2] Upon leaving school, he became a practicing psychologist and an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. He also made regular appearances on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh from 1979 to 1995 as a health-care expert.[6]

Murphy co-wrote The Angry Child (2002), which won the National Parenting Publications Award and was featured on Book TV.[7] A few years later, he co-wrote Overcoming Passive-Aggression (2005), again with Loriann Hoff Oberlin, a writer/author and mental-health counselor. Overcoming Passive-Aggression received abundant reviews, including some from specialist mental health publications. Murphy has been interviewed by reporters from Psychology Today,[8] The Washington Post, USA Today, CBS Early Show, CNN,[9] Face the Nation,[10] C-SPAN, and others in the media on the topics of mental health, anger management and violence, parenting, and relationships.

Pennsylvania Senate (1996–2003)

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In 1996, Republican incumbent State Sen. Michael Fisher decided not to run for re-election in order to run for Pennsylvania Attorney General. Murphy decided to run in Pennsylvania's 37th Senate district and won the Republican primary, defeating John Schnatterly 70%–30%.[11] In the general election, he defeated State Representative Greg Fajt 55%–45%.[11] In 2000, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Joseph Rudolph 64%–36%.[11]

As a state senator, Murphy wrote the Pennsylvania Patient Bill of Rights and supported public funding for medical research. In 2002, the political website PoliticsPA named him to the list of "Smartest Legislators".[12] He resigned his state senate seat on January 3, 2003.

U.S. House of Representatives (2003–2017)

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Elections

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2002

After redistricting, Murphy ran for the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District in 2002. The district had previously been the 20th, represented by four-term Democrat Frank Mascara. However, the legislature re-drew the district after the 2000 Census in such a way that a large portion of Mascara's district ended up in the neighboring Johnstown-based 12th District, represented by an incumbent of 28-years John Murtha. The new district lines were harshly criticized, in part because in some areas portions of several neighborhoods—and even streets—were split between districts. In parts of the eastern part of the district, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the 12th. In parts of the western portion, one side of the street was in the 18th while the other was in the 14th. In the most extreme example, nearly all of Mascara's hometown of Charleroi was drawn into the 12th district, except that a long tendril extending from Allegheny County to Mascara's house stayed in the 18th.[13]

After a legal battle, the courts largely upheld Pennsylvania's redistricting plan after some minor modifications. Murphy was a member of the committee that redrew Pennsylvania's congressional map, and rumors abounded that he'd reconfigured the district for himself, even though numerous Democrats were also on the committee. Mascara challenged Murtha in the Democratic primary for the 12th District, since the newly configured 12th was geographically more his district than Murtha's. However, Murtha easily defeated Mascara. This removed a significant barrier to Murphy. Even though Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 70,000 registered voters, it was somewhat friendlier to Republicans than the old 20th had been.

Murphy won the Republican primary unopposed and won the general election, defeating Democrat Jack Machek 60%–40%.[14]

2004

Murphy won re-election to a second term, defeating Mark Boles 63%–37%.[15]

2006

In 2006, Murphy was confronted by KDKA News reporter Andy Sheehan with evidence indicating his District Office employees were illegally working on his campaign.[16] Murphy was challenged by Democrat Chad Kluko, a telecommunications executive, in the November 2006 general election. Murphy won re-election to a third term, defeating Kluko 58%–42%.[17]

2008

Murphy was challenged by Democrat Steve O'Donnell, a Monroeville health care executive. Murphy won re-election to a fourth term, defeating O'Donnell 64%–36%.[18][19]

2010

Murphy was challenged by Democrat Dan Connolly. Murphy was endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC[20] and the US Chamber of Commerce.[21] Murphy won re-election to a fifth term, defeating Connolly 67%–33%.[22]

2012

For the first time in Murphy's career, he was challenged in the Republican primary. Evan Feinberg, also of Upper St. Clair, was a 28-year-old political novice and "Tea Party" favorite,[23] was endorsed by Senators Rand Paul and Tom Coburn, FreedomWorks, and ABC Contractors. Murphy had the backing of two anti-abortion groups: National Right to Life Committee and PA Pro-Life Federation. He was also endorsed by former Governor Tom Ridge, former Congresswoman Melissa Hart, Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Jim Roddey, State Representative Mark Mustio, State Senate candidate D. Raja, the NRA Political Victory Fund,[24][25] and the Fraternal Order of Police of Allegheny County.[26][27][28] Murphy won the primary 63%–33%.[29][30] In the general election, he won re-election to his sixth term, defeating Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi 64%–36%.[31][32]

2014

Murphy successfully ran for re-election to a seventh term in the U.S. House in the 2014 election. He was re-nominated unopposed in the Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election, since no candidates filed to run in the Democratic primary.[33][34]

2016

Murphy was unopposed in the primary and the general election. He was re-elected to his eighth term in the U.S. House. This would be his last election to the House after later resigning on October 21, 2017.

Tenure

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On November 26, 2005, Murphy was injured during a traffic accident in Iraq while riding in a van along with fellow Congressmen Jim Marshall and Ike Skelton. The van swerved off the road to avoid an oncoming vehicle and overturned, injuring Murphy and Skelton. The two were airlifted to Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad. After an MRI indicated head and neck injuries, Murphy was flown to the U.S. Military's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for further tests, which indicated no permanent damage. After wearing a neck brace for a brief period, Murphy made a full recovery.[35][36]

He opposed both Wall Street bailouts in 2008, the $820 billion stimulus package supported by President Obama, and the climate change/greenhouse gas initiative bill known as "Cap and Trade".[37]

Murphy was named a "Hero of the Taxpayer" by Americans for Tax Reform.[38] Notably, he voted to increase the debt limit along with historic budget cuts in August 2011.[39] Prior to that, he approved the "short term" debt limit increase.[40]

Murphy supported a House earmark ban in theory but made nearly $14 million in earmark requests in 2010.[41] The left-leaning lobbying group called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress titled "Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch)".[42] Murphy was included on the list. CREW issued its analysis of Murphy's alleged ethical lapses.[43]

Murphy co-sponsored the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, along with Democratic Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives on September 29, 2010, received bi-partisan support. The final vote was 348–79. The measure would authorize the United States Department of Commerce to impose tariffs and countervailing duties against goods from countries with currencies that it deems are undervalued.[44]

Murphy told WDUQ that the goal was to "protect domestic manufacturers and the steel industry from countries unwilling to compete fairly in the global marketplace". He added that by tying China's currency to the dollar and not floating its currency on the open market, China could undercut US manufacturers by 40%. In other words, manufacturers in China could make and ship products to the US for less than a US manufacturer could buy the raw materials.[45] The Senate failed to take up the legislation, and Murphy reintroduced the bi-partisan measure in February 2011.[45]

Following the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), Murphy and Mental Health Caucus co-chair Grace Napolitano (D-CA) spoke with national media about mental health issues.[46] Both members also held briefings for congressional staffers with questions on the shooting.[47]

Mental health advocacy and legislation

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Following the December 14, 2012 mass shooting of school children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Murphy organized a series of hearings across the nation on the issue of mental health.[48] Adam Lanza, the perpetrator of the shooting, had been diagnosed with a range of mental health problems which deteriorated severely and, "combined with an atypical preoccupation with violence... (and) access to deadly weapons... proved a recipe for mass murder," according to the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate.[49]

Murphy's hearings included testimony by families who experienced firsthand the shortage of available beds and the legal limits placed on efforts to get help for members. Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds recounted the death of his son who, after being recommended for psychiatric commitment, was sent home because of a lack of available beds. Gus Deeds went on to stab his father before committing suicide.[50]

Murphy drafted a bill called the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 422–2 in July 2016.[51] The bill attracted support in the press and with various advocacy organizations, with one writer in The Wall Street Journal pointing out that Murphy's bill was the only one likely to have prevented shootings such as those that felled Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as well as other victims of a spate of shootings.[52]

The bill was later folded into the larger 21st Century Cures Act and included the following provisions:[53]

  • Created the Office of Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
  • Mandated better coordination of federal programs, creating an advisory board to oversee the effort.
  • Mandated more scientifically based models to create standards for reviewing grants and mental health program funding.

Committee assignments

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Murphy previously served on the Veterans Affairs and Government Reform committees.[54][55]

Caucus memberships

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Extramarital affair, office chaos, and resignation

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In early September 2017, Murphy admitted to an extramarital affair with Shannon Edwards, a 32-year-old forensic psychologist. The affair came to light in the course of Edwards' divorce proceedings. On October 3, 2017, Murphy's hometown newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reported that a text message on January 5 of that year from Edwards to Murphy included the statement, "[Y]ou have zero issue posting your pro-life stance all over the place when you had no issue asking me to abort our unborn child just last week when we thought that was one of the options" in the midst of an unfounded pregnancy scare. To which Murphy replied, "I get what you say about my March for life messages. I've never written them. Staff does them. I read them and winced. I told staff don't write any more. I will."[61]

In the same article, the Post-Gazette published a June 8 memorandum from Murphy's chief of staff to Murphy complaining of the congressman's repeated harassment of staff and his "hostile, erratic, unstable, angry, aggressive and abusive behavior", which led to an "inability to hire and retain competent staff, [and] abysmal office morale".[62][5]

On October 4, Murphy announced that he would not run for an eighth term in 2018. During the next 24 hours, several former staffers came forward with claims of an abusive environment in his office. By October 5, House Republican leaders concluded the allegations should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Fearing that a wave of unflattering stories would be published, creating a distraction, they pressed Murphy to leave immediately. Accordingly, he resigned from the House on October 21.[63][4]

In February 2018, Edwards announced that she intended to run for Congress and that she expected the affair with Murphy to be a campaign issue.[64] However, she did not file the paperwork to run in the 2018 elections.[65]

Electoral history

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Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district: Results 2002–2016[66][67][68][69]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2002 Jack Machek 79,451 40% Tim Murphy 119,885 60%
2004 Mark G. Boles 117,420 37% Tim Murphy 197,894 63%
2006 Chad Kluko 105,419 42% Tim Murphy 144,632 58%
2008 Steve O'Donnell 116,446 36% Tim Murphy 206,916 64%
2010 Dan Connolly 77,212 33% Tim Murphy 158,224 67%
2012 Larry Maggi 115,975 36% Tim Murphy 204,784 64%
2014 Tim Murphy 166,076 100%
2016 Tim Murphy 293,684 100%

Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2002, write-ins received 13 votes. In 2006, write-ins received 189 votes.

Personal life

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Murphy is married to Nanette Missig. They have one daughter, Bevin, and multiple grandchildren.[70]

References

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  1. ^ "Tim Murphy (R)". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2013.Staff. "Eighteenth District" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Drash, Wayne (December 11, 2014). "I ask members of Congress to look those Newtown families in the eye". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  3. ^ Reed Ward, Paula (October 3, 2017). "Rep. Tim Murphy, popular with pro-life movement, urged abortion in affair, texts suggest". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  4. ^ a b Bade, Rachael; Sherman, John; Bresnahan, John (October 5, 2017). "Inside Tim Murphy's reign of terror". Politico.
  5. ^ a b Bade, Rachael; Sherman, Jake (October 5, 2017). "Tim Murphy resigns from Congress". Politico. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "The Angry Child by Congressman Tim Murphy". Random House. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Staff (July 14, 2003). "The Angry Child". C-SPAN. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "The Stealth Saboteur". Psychology Today. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "State of the Union with Candy Crowley takes a closer look at mental illness in the U.S." CNN. January 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  10. ^ "VIDEO: Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy Takes Mental Health Discussion to CBS News' Face The Nation". United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "Our Campaigns – Pa State Senate 37 – R Primary Race – Apr 23, 1996". ourcampaigns.com.
  12. ^ "Smartest Legislators". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2002. Archived from the original on January 15, 2002.
  13. ^ Jeffrey Toobin (December 12, 2003). "The Great Election Grab". The New Yorker.
  14. ^ "PA District 18 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  15. ^ "PA - District 18 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  16. ^ Congressman Tim Murphy R-PA on KDKA News taking the evidence. November 2, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2012 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "PA - District 18". Our Campaigns.
  18. ^ "PA - District 18 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  19. ^ "Whispers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 9, 2008. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  20. ^ Murphy for Congress (October 3, 2010). "Tim Murphy for Congress: Murphy Earns VFW PAC Endorsement". Electtimmurphy.com. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  21. ^ Murphy, Tim (June 17, 2010). "Tim Murphy for Congress: NY On the Brink – A Sign of Things to Come". Electtimmurphy.com. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  22. ^ "PA - District 18 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  23. ^ Timothy McNulty (April 4, 2015). "Feinberg attacks Murphy's record". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016.
  24. ^ "NRA-PVF Endorses Tim Murphy for U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. September 23, 2010. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Pennsylvania". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ^ Jerry, Tara (March 2, 2012). "Murphy Campaign Unveils Endorsements". Politics PA. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012.
  27. ^ Gibson, Keegan (February 22, 2012). "Murphy Internal Poll Shows 74-12 Lead Over Feinberg". Politics PA.
  28. ^ Gibson, Keegan (May 5, 2017). "NRA Backs Murphy". Politics PA.
  29. ^ "PA District 18- R Primary Race - Apr 24, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  30. ^ "2012 Primary Election Results - Plum, PA Patch". Plum-oakmont.patch.com. April 20, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  31. ^ "PA - District 18 Race - Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  32. ^ Len Barcousky; Joe Smydo (November 7, 2012). "Doyle, Murphy, Kelly win re-election bids". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  33. ^ "2014 Pennsylvania House Election Results". Politico. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  34. ^ Cholodofsky, Rich (March 11, 2014). "2 Democrats challenge for congressman's seat in 12th District". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  35. ^ "Congressmen involved in Baghdad road accident" Archived June 20, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, Reuters, November 28, 2005.
  36. ^ "Rep. Murphy hurt in Iraq convoy crash", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; accessed June 30, 2017.
  37. ^ Lerer, Lisa; O'Connor, Patrick (June 25, 2009). "House passes climate-change bill". Politico. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  38. ^ "Congressman Tim Murphy: Murphy Named "Hero of the Taxpayer"". Murphy.house.gov. June 8, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  39. ^ "House Vote 690 – Approves Compromise to Increase the Debt Ceiling". The New York Times. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  40. ^ "House Vote 677 – Approves Boehner's Short-Term Debt Ceiling Increase". The New York Times. July 29, 2011. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  41. ^ "111th Congress Earmarks". opensecrets.org. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  42. ^ "Crew Releases Third Annual Most Corrupt Members Of Congress Report | Beyond Delay". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  43. ^ "CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress". Crewsmostcorrupt.org. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  44. ^ Malloy, Daniel (September 30, 2010). "U.S. House moves against China's undervalued currency". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  45. ^ a b Nootbaar, Mark (September 17, 2010). "Murphy Rallies for HR 2378". WDUQ News. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  46. ^ "Lawmakers: Close look needed at mental health issues". CNN.[dead link]
  47. ^ Pecquet, Julian (January 25, 2011). "Staff briefing on mental health scheduled in wake of Giffords shooting". The Hill's Healthwatch. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  48. ^ Drash, Wayne (December 13, 2014). "Tim Murphy's Journey to Mental Health Reform". CNN.
  49. ^ "A Report of the Office of the Child Advocate" (PDF). Office of the Child Advocate. November 21, 2014.
  50. ^ Szabo, Liz (September 4, 2014). "Va. lawmaker stabbed by son urges mental health reform". USA Today.
  51. ^ "Roll Call 355". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. July 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  52. ^ Torrey, E. Fuller (March 26, 2016). "A Wakeup Call for Congress on Mental Health". The Wall Street Journal.
  53. ^ "21st Century Cures Act, Full Text".
  54. ^ "House Energy and Commerce Committee – Full Committee Membership". Republicans.energycommerce.house.gov. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  55. ^ "House Energy and Commerce Committee – Subcommittees". Republicans.energycommerce.house.gov. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  56. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  57. ^ "GOP Doctors Caucus: Who We Are". Doctorscaucus.gingrey.house.gov. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  58. ^ "Congressman Tim Murphy: Biography". Murphy.house.gov. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  59. ^ "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  60. ^ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  61. ^ Fernandez, Alexia (October 4, 2017). "Pro-Life Congressman Tim Murphy Announces Retirement After He Allegedly Asked Mistress to Get an Abortion". People. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  62. ^ Reed Ward, Paula (October 3, 2017). "Rep. Tim Murphy, popular with pro-life movement, urged abortion in affair, texts suggest". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  63. ^ DeBonis, Mike (October 5, 2017). "Rep. Tim Murphy resigns from Congress after allegedly asking woman to have abortion". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  64. ^ Zito, Salena (February 21, 2018). "Woman who had affair with GOP Rep. Tim Murphy is running for Congress". The Washington Examiner.
  65. ^ Venteicher, Wes (March 21, 2018). "Shannon Edwards fails to file paperwork to run for Congress". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  66. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  67. ^ "2010 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  68. ^ "2012 General Election". Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  69. ^ "Returns". Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  70. ^ McFeatters, Anne (January 13, 2003). "Freshman Murphy finding his sea legs as a congressman". old.post-gazette.com. Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
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Articles and videos
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by

1997–2003
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district

2003–2017
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative