Timothy P. Murray
Encyclopedia
Timothy P. "Tim" Murray (born June 7, 1968) is the current Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
. From 2002 to 2007, Murray served as Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a Democrat
.
in Shrewsbury
.
Murray earned his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University
. While at Fordham, Murray served as an aide to Bronx Borough President, Fernando Ferrer
. He put himself through law school attending classes at night while working days as a substitute school teacher, earning his law degree from the Western New England College School of Law
.
He and his wife, Tammy (Sullivan) live in Worcester with their two daughters, Helen and Katerine. Tammy, also born in Worcester, is an occupational therapist who works with children.
, a position he held up until 2007 when he was elected lt. Governor. In Worcester the mayor has no more authority than other city councilors, but is the ceremonial head of the city and chair of the city council. He was able to promote his political persona with the finalization of plans for the 540 million dollar CitySquare project at the old Worcester Common Outlet, which has since been reduced to a 110 million dollar project. The CitySquare project website claims the project is the single largest development project in Massachusetts history outside of Boston, but the 1.1 billion dollar proposed downtown center in Quincy has since surpassed Worcester City Square. In 2006 Murray ran for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, defeating his two opponents, Deborah Goldberg
and Andrea Silbert on September 19, 2006, with 43% of the vote. He ran with the Democratic nominee for Governor, Deval Patrick
, as a ticket in the 2006 elections, beating out the Republican
ticket of Kerry Healey
and Reed Hillman.
Murray has also served on the boards of the Worcester Public Library
, Worcester Historical Museum
, Worcester Community Action Council, the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students and Preservation Worcester.
On April 2, 2010, Governor Patrick
and Lt. Governor Murray confirmed they would run for re-election. On June 5, 2010, they were endorsed by Democrats at the Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention. Both faced no other Democratic challengers. Other Gubernatorial candidates in the 2010 election included Republican Charlie Baker
, Independent Tim Cahill, and Green/Rainbow Jill Stein
. The election took place on November 2, 2010, and Patrick and Murray were re-elected with 48.4% of the vote.
The Lieutenant Governor checked himself into St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester on July 5, 2010 after feeling chest pains. He had marched in five parades over the weekend for Independence Day celebrations in 90 degree heat. The following day, he remained hospitalized for further testing and was said to be in good spirits. On July 7 he was released from the hospital.
On January 4th, 2011, Murray came across a burning minivan while driving through Worcester, MA. Hearing a witness to the accident say that children were still inside the vehicle, he approached the van and helped two children from it, returning them to their grandmother.
With Deval Patrick not seeking reelection in 2014
, Murray is considered to be the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts is the first in the line to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor following the incapacitation of the Governor of Massachusetts...
. From 2002 to 2007, Murray served as Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a Democrat
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...
.
Early life and education
Murray was born and raised in Worcester. His father taught high school and his mother worked as a nurse. He attended Worcester public elementary schools, and later went to St. John’s High SchoolSt. John's High School (Massachusetts)
Saint John's High School is a private Catholic boys' high school located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester...
in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
.
Murray earned his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. While at Fordham, Murray served as an aide to Bronx Borough President, Fernando Ferrer
Fernando Ferrer
Fernando James "Freddy" Ferrer was the Borough President of The Bronx from 1987 to 2001, and was a candidate for Mayor of New York in 2001 and the Democratic Party nominee for Mayor in 2005.- Background :...
. He put himself through law school attending classes at night while working days as a substitute school teacher, earning his law degree from the Western New England College School of Law
Western New England College School of Law
Western New England University School of Law is a private, American Bar Association-accredited law school in Western Massachusetts, the only ABA-accredited law school in Massachusetts outside the greater Boston area....
.
He and his wife, Tammy (Sullivan) live in Worcester with their two daughters, Helen and Katerine. Tammy, also born in Worcester, is an occupational therapist who works with children.
Political career
In 1997 Murray was elected to serve on the Worcester City CouncilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, a position he held up until 2007 when he was elected lt. Governor. In Worcester the mayor has no more authority than other city councilors, but is the ceremonial head of the city and chair of the city council. He was able to promote his political persona with the finalization of plans for the 540 million dollar CitySquare project at the old Worcester Common Outlet, which has since been reduced to a 110 million dollar project. The CitySquare project website claims the project is the single largest development project in Massachusetts history outside of Boston, but the 1.1 billion dollar proposed downtown center in Quincy has since surpassed Worcester City Square. In 2006 Murray ran for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, defeating his two opponents, Deborah Goldberg
Deborah Goldberg
Deborah Goldberg served on the Board of Selectmen for the town of Brookline, Massachusetts from 1998–2004, the last two as Chairman, and was a candidate in the 2006 Massachusetts Democratic primary election for Lieutenant Governor....
and Andrea Silbert on September 19, 2006, with 43% of the vote. He ran with the Democratic nominee for Governor, Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
, as a ticket in the 2006 elections, beating out the Republican
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...
ticket of Kerry Healey
Kerry Healey
Kerry Murphy Healey was the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. She served from 2003 to 2007 with Governor Mitt Romney. She was the 2006 Republican nominee for Governor of Massachusetts, losing to Democrat Deval Patrick in November 2006...
and Reed Hillman.
Murray has also served on the boards of the Worcester Public Library
Worcester Public Library
Worcester Public Library is a public library in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1859 when local resident John Green donated his personal library to the city for public use. In 2004, the Worcester Library Foundation was established to raise funds and promote the library...
, Worcester Historical Museum
Worcester Historical Museum
The Worcester Historical Museum, located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, was founded in 1875. This museum is the only institution devoted entirely to local history and artifacts. The scope of their collection ranges from colonial to twentieth century, encompassing manuscripts, textiles,...
, Worcester Community Action Council, the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students and Preservation Worcester.
On April 2, 2010, Governor Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
and Lt. Governor Murray confirmed they would run for re-election. On June 5, 2010, they were endorsed by Democrats at the Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention. Both faced no other Democratic challengers. Other Gubernatorial candidates in the 2010 election included Republican Charlie Baker
Charles D. Baker, Jr.
Charles Duane "Charlie" Baker, Jr. , is an American businessman and politician from Massachusetts. He was a cabinet official under two Massachusetts governors, spent ten years as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and was the Republican candidate in the 2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial...
, Independent Tim Cahill, and Green/Rainbow Jill Stein
Jill Stein
Jill Stein is an American physician, activist, co-chair of the Green-Rainbow Party and candidate for President of the United States in 2012. Stein was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2002 and the 2010 gubernatorial elections. Stein is a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts and a...
. The election took place on November 2, 2010, and Patrick and Murray were re-elected with 48.4% of the vote.
The Lieutenant Governor checked himself into St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester on July 5, 2010 after feeling chest pains. He had marched in five parades over the weekend for Independence Day celebrations in 90 degree heat. The following day, he remained hospitalized for further testing and was said to be in good spirits. On July 7 he was released from the hospital.
On January 4th, 2011, Murray came across a burning minivan while driving through Worcester, MA. Hearing a witness to the accident say that children were still inside the vehicle, he approached the van and helped two children from it, returning them to their grandmother.
With Deval Patrick not seeking reelection in 2014
Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2014
The 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial election will take place on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Democratic Governor Deval Patrick is unlikely to run for re-election and has stated he will retire at the end of his current term.-Potential:...
, Murray is considered to be the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
See also
- Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2006Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2006The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick was elected to a four-year term, from January 4, 2007 until January 6, 2011. In his first elected office, Patrick is the second African-American governor in the United...
- Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2010Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2010The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor Deval Patrick was re-elected to a second term. Also competing were the Republican Party nominee, businessman Charlie Baker; independent candidate and State Treasurer Tim Cahill; and...