Murphy the “Don” in surprise bid for the Maryland Statehouse

Murphy makes a surprise announcement just after midnight on April 1, 2010 that he will run against former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, who had just announced on March 30, 2010 that he will be seeking his old office back. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/murphy-don-in-surprise-bid-for-maryland.html http://tinyurl.com/yexfeut http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/312008.html

Photo caption: Murphy is pictured in front of the NH State Capitol after testifying for a GPS client. Murphy, who is also known to have made recent trips to New Hampshire, is rumored to be a presidential contender in 2012. Photo courtesy of Genn & Murphy. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/1cberm

April 1, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff for Soundtrack

In a surprise announcement, former Maryland Delegate Donald E. Murphy (R) has announced that he will be running for governor of Maryland in the September 14, 2010 Republican Primary.

Many political insiders had speculated privately that Murphy, known as the “Don,” in political circles, may toss his hat in the ring.

Murphy, who is also known to have made recent trips to New Hampshire, is also rumored to be a presidential contender in 2012.

Recently, noted political analyst Joe Steffen wryly wrote, “Murphy told me last night that a potential run for governor on his part was ‘in the mix.’ As MD point man for the 2008 McCain Presidential campaign and Senior Advisor to MD GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Eric Wargotz to go with his other credentials, Murphy undoubtedly has a set of...bona fides.

“While discussing a possible gubernatorial run, Don Murphy did joke, however, that he ‘didn’t want to split the Murphy (primary) vote,’ a reference to young GOP businessman and upstart candidate, Brian Murphy, who is already running for governor in the GOP primary,” continued Steffen.

“Who knows? Maybe an actual Ehrlich run will entice Don Murphy into the campaign, concerns over splitting the Murphy vote be damned,” wrote Steffen.

Opening shot across the bow…

Steffen noted, “Beyond then-Governor Ehrlich's 2006 taxpayer-dollar-spending-spree-for-votes, THAT brings us back to the libertarian leaning conservative Don Murphy, who when talking about Mr. Ehrlich in the context of being conservative with the tax dollars offered this priceless observation:

“‘Saying Bob Ehrlich is a fiscal conservative is like saying Ocean Gallery (http://oceangallery.com/) is an art museum.’

“That wasn't the beer and bravado talking - but it was the best line of the night. And, hey, isn't the best humor always rooted in the truth?”

Are you experienced?

Murphy is experienced and known to be comfortable in his own skin and in the political arena.

Murphy previously represented District 12A, which covered portions of Baltimore and Howard County Maryland in the Maryland General Assembly from January 1995 to January 2003.

He is a graduate of Andover High School in Linthicum Maryland and graduated from the University of Baltimore with a degree in real estate in 1983.

In recent years, Murphy has been affiliated with the lobbying firm of Genn & Murphy and is a well known and popular GOP Strategist and advisor to U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Eric Wargotz of Maryland.

In 1994, Murphy defeated the House Majority Leader in a legislative district that had never elected a Republican, according to the Genn & Murphy web site.

While a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Murphy was a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Civil Law & Procedure Subcommittee. He served as Deputy Minority Whip from 2002 until 2003. Murphy did not seek reelection in 2002.

The Gunn & Murphy web site also reveals “After his reelection in 1998, he became an unlikely advocate for Medical Marijuana legislation as a result of being approached by a Green Beret constituent who was dying of cancer.

“The passage of the Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act in 2003 placed Mr. Murphy in exclusive company with substantial national media recognition.

“When The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and The Gazette listed their “winners and losers” for the Legislative Session, he was one of three, and the only non-incumbent legislator, named to the “winners” list in all three publications.”

“Murphy, a nationally-known campaign advisor, travels extensively at the request of candidates and focus groups who seek his advice,” according to his web site, Genn & Murphy.

Well-liked, well dressed and handsome.

The handsome, well-dressed Murphy is well-liked on both sides of the political aisle and many keen political observers, speaking on background noted, that he has the best chance of anyone to garner the vote in the General Election this November in the heavily Democrat cobalt-blue state of the Maryland.

“Murphy’s congeniality and work-ethic make him a favorite with members of both Maryland Legislative Houses controlled by Democrats,” notes his web site.

“During Mr. Murphy’s first term, the Guidebook of Maryland Legislators called him ‘the nicest Delegate in Annapolis.’ Near the end of his second term, the Montgomery Gazette concluded in its analysis of legislators that Mr. Murphy was unquestionably ‘liked by everyone,’” according to the Genn & Murphy web site.

“Mr. Murphy’s congeniality and work-ethic make him a favorite with members of both Maryland Legislative Houses controlled by Democrats, in addition to the new Republican Administration that has many of his former colleagues and friends in key policy and decision-maker roles,” notes the web site.

Most of the folks in Maryland tend to be more moderate

In a 2008 interview with MSNBC, Murphy, a political moderate, observed, “Most of the folks in Maryland tend to be more moderate,” said Don Murphy, who is the chairman of the Maryland delegation at the (Republican National) convention.”

The web site also notes that “Prior to running for office, Mr. Murphy held key positions in the commercial real estate field, including real estate analyst for Baltimore City’s Economic Development office and as Director of Leasing for a million square foot office and industrial park….”

Murphy is a life-long resident of Maryland with his wife, Gloria, who will be just as surprised as the “Don” and the rest of us that he is running for governor.

Then again, how could they have known – after all it is April Fools’ Day.

20100401 sdosmked Murphy in surprise run for the Maryland Statehouse Labels: Annual April Fools Day, Gov Ehrlich-Robert, People Murphy Don, People Steffen Joe

Murphy the “Don” in surprise bid for the Maryland Statehouse http://tinyurl.com/yexfeut http://twitpic.com/1cberm

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