Linda Murphy
Encyclopedia
Linda Murphy is an American
teacher
and politician
from Oklahoma. Murphy was the Republican nominee
for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1994 and 1998.
, the daughter of a Freewill Baptist preacher. She graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1970. Murphy taught school in Caddo County, Oklahoma
, from 1978 to 1981 and is certified to teach learning and mentally disabled students. In 1994, Murphy received the Republican nomination for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. Murphy norrowly lost the election to Democratic
incumbent Sandy Garrett
.
That same year, Republican Frank Keating
was elected Governor of Oklahoma
. Following his inauguration as Governor, Keating nominated Murphy as his Secretary of Education. After a controversial hearing before the Oklahoma Senate
's Education Committee, Murphy nomination was rejected in a 12-5 vote. Governor Keating later went on to nominate Dr. Floyd Coppedge as his Education Secretary, which was approved unanimously by the Senate. Murphy served Keating by joining his staff as his Education Advisor.
In January 1998, Murphy was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Labor
by Republican Oklahoma Labor Commissioner
Brenda Reneau
. As Deputy Commissioner, Murphy was the second highest ranking person in the Department and acted as the Commissioner in the absence of Reneau. While in the position, Governor Keating appointed her to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
. She remained with the Department of Labor until May 1998.
Murphy received the Republican Party nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1998 to face Garrett in her reelection bid. Garrett defeated Murphy in a landslide, receiving 60% of the vote to Murphy's 40%.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Oklahoma. Murphy was the Republican nominee
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1994 and 1998.
Biography
Murphy was born in Cheyenne, OklahomaCheyenne, Oklahoma
Cheyenne is a town in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 801 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Roger Mills County.-History:...
, the daughter of a Freewill Baptist preacher. She graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1970. Murphy taught school in Caddo County, Oklahoma
Caddo County, Oklahoma
Caddo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 30,150. Its county seat is Anadarko. It is named after the Caddo tribe who were settled here on the 1870s...
, from 1978 to 1981 and is certified to teach learning and mentally disabled students. In 1994, Murphy received the Republican nomination for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. Murphy norrowly lost the election to Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent Sandy Garrett
Sandy Garrett
Sandy Garrett is a retired American Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Garrett is the former Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction....
.
That same year, Republican Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
was elected Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. Following his inauguration as Governor, Keating nominated Murphy as his Secretary of Education. After a controversial hearing before the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
's Education Committee, Murphy nomination was rejected in a 12-5 vote. Governor Keating later went on to nominate Dr. Floyd Coppedge as his Education Secretary, which was approved unanimously by the Senate. Murphy served Keating by joining his staff as his Education Advisor.
In January 1998, Murphy was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Labor
Oklahoma Department of Labor
The Oklahoma Department of Labor is an agency of the government of Oklahoma that is headed by the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, a statewide elected position...
by Republican Oklahoma Labor Commissioner
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner
The Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor is an elective executive officer of the State of Oklahoma. The Labor Commissioner serves as the head of the Oklahoma Department of Labor...
Brenda Reneau
Brenda Reneau
Brenda Reneau is a Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Reneau served as the Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor for three consecutive terms. First elected in 1994, she is the only woman to serve as Labor Commissioner. Reelected in 1998 and 2002, she lost her bid for another term in 2006...
. As Deputy Commissioner, Murphy was the second highest ranking person in the Department and acted as the Commissioner in the absence of Reneau. While in the position, Governor Keating appointed her to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1994. Made up of thirty members, one-third are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of...
. She remained with the Department of Labor until May 1998.
Murphy received the Republican Party nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1998 to face Garrett in her reelection bid. Garrett defeated Murphy in a landslide, receiving 60% of the vote to Murphy's 40%.