Dale Murphy, politician

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Dale Murphy is the Democratic Party candidate for the Washington State Legislature 41st Legislative District, Position 1. Murphy is from Mercer Island. The 41st District in King County comprises most of Bellevue, Newcastle, Mercer Island, North Renton, and several precincts in Issaquah and unincorporated King County.

He prevailed in the primary election on September 19, 2006. Washington had a "pick-a-party primary" in which voters must choose one party and vote within its slate. In the uncontested primary, Murphy won 11,276 votes and Republican Party incumbent Fred Jarrett won only 9,290 -- a surprisingly strong outcome for Murphy's first political election.[1] Murphy's support was broad-based, winning in 134 out of 183 precincts. In the general election to be held on November 7, 2006, Murphy will face Jarrett, who is a three-term State Representative. "I'm worried," Jarrett was quoted as saying; "If it's a bad year for Republicans everywhere, I'm a Republican."[2] The 41st LD has not elected a Democrat to this seat in 50 years. Position 2 was taken by a Democrat in 2002 (Judy Clibborn); the State Senate seat was taken by a Democrat in 2004 (Brian Weinstein); and the 41st voted for Democrats John Kerry, Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell by wide margins.

Murphy's platform calls for a strong education system, a world-class transportation system, and quality affordable health care. He is a lifelong conservationist. He has received endorsements by all Democratic candidates in the 41st LD, including State Senators Margarita Prentice and Brian Weinstein, State Representatives Bob Hasegawa, Zack Hudgins, and Judy Clibborn, and US Congressmen Adam Smith and Jim McDermott. He has also been endorsed by the 41st LD Democrats, the King County Democrats, and the Young Democrats of Washington. Murphy received a "Very Good" rating from the Municipal League of King County, the second-highest rating this civics association offers, and the same as incumbent Clibborn.[3]

Murphy's prior political experience includes a stint in the Reagan Administration for US Secretary of George Shultz. He was also an Assistant Vice President at Citibank, and taught international business and international relations.