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{{Infobox Senator
{{Infobox Senator
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Revision as of 20:00, 1 August 2011

Patty Murray
United States Senator
from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Serving with Maria Cantwell
Preceded byBrock Adams
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byDaniel Akaka
Personal details
Born (1950-10-11) October 11, 1950 (age 74)
Bothell, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRob Murray
ChildrenRandy Murray
Sara Murray
Residence(s)Bothell, Washington
Alma materWashington State University (B.A.)
OccupationTeacher
Politician
WebsiteSenator Patty Murray

Patricia Lynn "Patty" Murray (née Johns, born October 11, 1950) is the senior United States Senator from Washington and a member of the Democratic Party. Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992, becoming Washington's first female senator. She was re-elected in 1998, 2004 and 2010.

Murray has served as the Senate Majority Conference Secretary since 2007, making her the fourth highest-ranking Democrat and the highest-ranking woman in the Senate.[1][2]

Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2001 to 2003, Murray assumed the role again in early 2011, for a term ending in 2013.[3] She is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.[4]

Early life

One of seven children, Murray was born in Bothell, Washington to Beverly A. McLaughlin and David L. Johns.[5] Her mother was an accountant. Her father fought in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Murray received her Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Washington State University in 1972. She was a preschool teacher for several years and taught a parenting class at Shoreline Community College from 1984 to 1987.[6]

Early career

As a citizen-lobbyist for environmental and educational issues, she says she was once told by a state representative that she couldn't make a difference because she was just a "mom in tennis shoes." The phrase stuck, and she later used it in her successful campaigns for Shoreline School District Board of Directors (1985–1989), Washington State Senate (1989–1993), and United States Senate (1993 – present). Murray was successful in gathering grassroots support to strike down proposed preschool program budget cuts.[7][unreliable source?].

Her 1988 State Senate campaign was successful and she unseated incumbent Republican Bill Kiskadden. She was commended by the Seattle Post Intelligencer.[citation needed]

United States Senator

Senator Murray at the podium, joined by (left to right), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), launching an interactive website regarding the nomination of Judge John Roberts as the Chief Justice of the United States of America.

Committees

Political positions

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Galen Jackman briefs Senator Patty Murray on the Manned Ground Vehicle program in Washington D.C.

In October 2002, Murray was one of 21 Democrats in the Senate to vote against the War Authoritization for invading Iraq. Quoted from her Senate speech:

Mr. President, if we do take action in Iraq, there is no doubt that our armed forces will prevail. We will win a war with Iraq decisively, and, God willing, we will win it quickly. But what happens after the war? That will have as big an impact on our future peace and security. Will we be obligated to rebuild Iraq? If so, how? Our economy is reeling, our budget is in deficit, and we have no estimate of the cost of rebuilding. And with whom? As New York Times columnist Tom Friedman points out, there's a retail store mentality that suggests to some — if "you break it, you buy it."

In December 2002, while speaking to students at Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Murray made a number of remarks about Osama bin Laden, as she attempted to explain why the US had such problems winning hearts and minds in the Muslim world, and how bin Laden had garnered support among some in the Middle East. Among other things, she had stated that bin Laden has "been out in these countries for decades, building schools, building roads, building infrastructure, building daycare facilities, building health care facilities, and the people are extremely grateful. He's made their lives better. We have not done that." This attracted attention from political opponents, who argued that this constituted support for bin Laden. Republican state chairman Chris Vance was outraged, and said it was "despicable to imply that the American government should learn a lesson from the madman who murdered thousands of American citizens".[8][9][10]

Global Trade Exchange

Senator Patty Murray put the controversial intelligence ports-data project Global Trade Exchange, into the Homeland security budget.

Other

In May 2006, Murray, along with 38 of 44 Senate Democrats, voted in favor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. 2611).[11] The bill includes provisions to improve border security, increases fines and other punishments for employers of illegal immigrants, creation of a guest worker program (which includes an almost doubling of the number of H-1B visas),[12] and creates a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.[13] The bill, with support from some in the GOP leadership, passed 62-36.

Murray repeatedly cosponsored legislation to create the Wild Sky Wilderness area in the Washington Cascade Range.[14] She eventually succeeded, with the bill being signed by President Bush on May 8, 2008.[15] Murray has also supported legislation to increase the size of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, also in the Washington Cascades.[16]

Political campaigns

1992

See also: United States Senate election in Washington, 1992

In 1992, Murray announced her intention to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate following the publication of a series of articles by The Seattle Times alleging that incumbent Democrat Brock Adams had sexually assaulted a number of women.[17] When Adams dropped out of the election before the primary, Murray defeated Representative Don Bonker to win the Democratic nomination. In the general election she faced Republican Representative Rod Chandler, whom she defeated 54 percent to 46 percent despite being outspent by a wide margin. On August 2, 2006, the New York Times said, "In 1994, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina was said to have engaged in excessive touching of his then-freshman colleague Patty Murray of Washington. Ms. Murray later asked for and received an apology from Mr. Thurmond, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported at the time. Through a spokeswoman, Ms. Murray declined to comment."

1998

See also: United States Senate election in Washington, 1998

In 1998 she won reelection against Representative Linda Smith, 58 percent to 42 percent.

2004

See also: United States Senate election in Washington, 2004

Murray faced another Republican Representative, George Nethercutt, whom she defeated 55 percent to 43 percent.

2008

On January 30, 2008, Murray endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries.[18] One month later, the Washington Democratic caucus awarded two-thirds of its delegates to Barack Obama and one-third to Clinton. After Clinton's June 7 concession, Murray switched her endorsement to Obama.[19]

2010

See also: United States Senate election in Washington, 2010

Murray was challenged by Republican nominee Dino Rossi.[20][21]

Murray was endorsed by The Seattle Times on October 8, 2010.[22]

Murray was endorsed by The News Tribune (Tacoma) on October 10, 2010.[23]

Murray was endorsed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 11, 2010.[24]

Murray was endorsed by The Spokesman-Review (Spokane) on October 24, 2010.[25]

Murray's challenger, Dino Rossi, conceded the election to Murray on November 4, 2010, two days after election day. The final tally showed Murray with 52% to Rossi's 48%, enabling Murray to go on to serve a fourth term in the United States Senate.

Criticism

Patty Murray has been criticized for denouncing the Koch brothers and then leaving a voicemail soliciting donations from them.[26]

Electoral history

Washington Senator (Class III) results: 1992–2010[27]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1992 Patty Murray 1,197,973 54% Rod Chandler 1,020,829 46%
1998 Patty Murray 1,103,184 58% Linda Smith 785,377 42%
2004 Patty Murray 1,549,708 55% George R. Nethercutt, Jr. 1,204,584 43% J. Mills Libertarian 34,055 1% Mark B. Wilson Green 30,304 1%
2010 Patty Murray 1,314,930 52% Dino Rossi 1,196,164 48%

Personal life

Murray is married to Rob Murray and has two grown children, Sara and Randy. Murray is a lifelong resident of Bothell, Washington. [citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Reid announces Democratic leadership for the 110th Congress". democrats.senate.gov. 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  2. ^ "Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader". Democrats.senate.gov. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  3. ^ http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/11/patty-murray-to-head-dscc-democratic-senatorial-campaign-committee.html
  4. ^ Pope, Charles (2007-01-04). "Murray has key role as Democrats take reins in Congress". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  5. ^ Patty Murray Genealogy
  6. ^ "MURRAY, Patty -- Biographical Information". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
  7. ^ "Senator Patty Murray - About". U.S. Senate.
  8. ^ "Nethercutt uses Osama bin Laden in ad assailing Murray". USA Today. 2004-09-29. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  9. ^ Gregg Herrington (2002-12-19). "U.S. Sen. Patty Murray — Senator asks students to ponder". The Columbian. Archived from the original on 2002-12-28. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  10. ^ "Murray's remarks on bin Laden draw GOP ire". Associated Press. 2002-12-21. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  11. ^ "On Passage of the Bill (S. 2611 As Amended )". United States Senate. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  12. ^ "Senate immigration bill raises H-1B limit". InfoWorld. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  13. ^ "S.2611". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  14. ^ Sam Goldfarb (2007-02-07). "Wild Sky wilderness bill back in Congress". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  15. ^ Daly, Matthew (2008-05-08). "Bush signs Wild Sky wilderness bill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  16. ^ Lynda V. Mapes (2009-03-27). "More land sought for Alpine Lakes Wilderness". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  17. ^ David Wilma (2004-09-10). "Adams, Brock (1927–2004)". HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  18. ^ "Washington Senator Patty Murray Endorses Clinton" (Press release). Hillary for President. 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  19. ^ "Murray Gets Behind Obama". The Columbian. 2008-06-09.
  20. ^ Balter, Joni (2010-01-29). "Dino Rossi and the Scott Brown effect in Washington". The Seattle Times.
  21. ^ Time http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/04/24/surveyusa-poll-washington-senate/. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ The Times endorses the re-election of Sen. Patty Murray. The Seattle Times, October 8, 2010
  23. ^ Re-elect Patty Murray to the U.S. Senate, The News Tribune, October 10, 2010.
  24. ^ seattlepi.com: Murray has earned a fourth term, editorial board, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 11, 2010
  25. ^ On balance, Murray is better choice for Senate, The News Tribune, October 24, 2010
  26. ^ http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/08/koch-executive-to-dems-why-did-i-get-solicited/. Retrieved July 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
Template:Incumbent succession boxTemplate:Incumbent succession box
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from Washington
1993–present
Served alongside: Slade Gorton, Maria Cantwell 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Senators by seniority
24th 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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