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Erin Murphy (Massachusetts politician)

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Erin Murphy
Murphy in 2024
Member of the Boston City Council
at-large
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2021
Preceded byMichelle Wu
Personal details
Born1969 or 1970 (age 54–55)[1]
Political partyDemocratic
Children4
Website

Erin J. Murphy is an American politician and educator who has served as an at-large member of the Boston City Council since December 2021. Murphy is a Democrat, and is considered one of the more politically moderate members of the council. In 2024, she unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in the election for clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County.

Early life, family, and early career

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Murphy was born and raised in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. In her adulthood, she has continued to live in the same neighborhood, where she raised her four children. Murphy is a single mother.[1]

For twenty years, Murphy worked as a Boston Public Schools teacher in Dorchester. Much of her work was with kindergarten and special needs students. For several years before joining the Boston City Council, she worked as a special education coordinator.[1]

Murphy has completed philanthropic and advocacy work on the matter of substance abuse. She ran the Boston Marathon in three consecutive years to raise more than $50,000 for the Gavin Foundation. In 2016, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh recognized Murphy with the "EXTRAordinary" award. In 2017, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women gave her their "Unsung Heroine Award" for her work.[1]

Murphy's grandfather, Richard Murphy, founded the Dorchester United Neighborhood Association and has a public school in Boston named for him.[2] Her sister, Darragh Murphy, is notable for founding People United Means Action (PUMA) to oppose the nomination of Barack Obama as the Democratic Party nominee in the 2008 United States presidential election.[3]

City council

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Murphy with Congressman Stephen Lynch in 2022

Elected in 2021, Murphy serves as a member of the Boston City Council. While the council's elections are nonpartisan, Murphy identifies herself as being a member of the Democratic Party.[2] One of the more politically moderate members of the council,.[4] Murphy has established herself as one of the council's most frequent critics of Mayor Michelle Wu.[5]

Unsuccessful 2019 campaign

[edit]

In 2019, Murphy ran in the election for the four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. She finished the election in sixth-place in the general election, thereby losing.[6]

2021 election and partial term

[edit]

Alongside Ruthzee Louijeune, Murphy was one of two new council members elected to an at-large seat. Incumbents Michael F. Flaherty and Julia Mejia had won reelection, while Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George had each forgone reelection to the city council in order to seek election that year to the mayoralty.[7][1]

Wu won the coinciding mayoral election. Under the Boston City Charter, a mayoral vacancy sees a new mayor sworn in as soon as is possible after the next mayoral election. Boston's previous permanent mayor, Marty Walsh, had resigned earlier that year to become U.S. secretary of labor, meaning Wu's assumption of office took place in November 2021, earlier than is typical for a mayor and earlier than the expiration of her at-large city council term.[8] The Boston City Charter also specifies that a vacant at-large Boston City Council will be filled by the highest-performing runner-up who accepts the position. The first runner-up (fifth-place finisher) of the 2019 at-large city council election had been Alejandra St. Guillen, who considered serving the remainder of Wu's term before declining the opportunity. Since Murphy had been the next runner-up (the sixth-place finisher), she was given the opportunity to finish Wu's unexpired city council term.[6][9] She accepted, and was sworn in December 1 to serve the final month of Wu's unexpired at-large City Council term.[9][10]

2022–2023

[edit]

Murphy began her first full city council term on January 3, 2022.[11]

Murphy and Councilors Michael F. Flaherty, and Ed Flynn at the South Boston Health Center in July 2023

During this term, Murphy joined councilors Frank Baker, Michael F. Flaherty, and Ed Flynn in an informal grouping that often functioned as a centrist voting bloc.[4] In September 2023, this bloc signed onto a letter urging that the Boston Public Health Commission hold a vote at their next meeting declaring the situation at Mass & Cass to be a public health emergency.[12] In February 2023, the bloc was joined by Brian Worrell in voting against advancing a home rule petition to make the Boston School Committee a publicly elected school board. Despite their opposition, the ordinance passed 7–5;[13] but it was vetoed by Mayor Wu, who had argued that it was an inopportune moment to make such a transition due to the need to stabilize the state of the city's schools.[14]

Murphy stands near Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials at the 2023 South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade

The informal bloc of Murphy, Baker, Flaherty, and Flynn were the sole votes against the council's redistricting map that was initially approved by the City Council after the 2020 United States Census and which and Mayor Wu passed into law in November 2022.[15][16] The redistricting process was contentious.[17] The map would have shifted three voting precincts that have historically been predominantly Irish American into a ward that is Black-majority. While noting the Murphy acted civilly in expressing her objections, Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner characterized the objections as being grounded in "white grievance politics".[3] During this dispute, it was noted by Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine that the bloc was not only politically moderate, but also entirely White.[15] After a lawsuit, the map was prohibited by preliminary injunction from being used in the 2023 Boston City Council election after a ruling by Federal Judge Patti B. Saris,[18] and an interim map was approved by the council[19] and signed into law by Mayor Wu.[20]

Murphy voted against a home rule petition that would seek state approval for Boston to extend voting participation in municipal (local) elections to non-citizen residents with legal status.[21]

Murphy and Councilor Baker were the sole votes against the rent control home rule petition championed by Mayor Wu.[22]

2024–present

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Murphy stands near Governor Maura Healey (bottom left) and State Senator Nick Collins (right) during the 2024 South Boston St. Patrick's Day Breakfast

Murphy was reelected in 2023, finishing second in the at-large election.[23] Murphy joined Councilor Flynn in making a last-minute push to encourage Councilor Mejia to run against Ruthzee Louijeune for the council presidency.[24] At the January 2024 inaugural session of the new council term, Flynn nominated Mejia, but Mejia declined his nomination and Louijeune was unanimously elected council president.[25]

Murphy is chair of the council's Strong Women, Families and Communities Committee.[26]

Murphy and Councilor Flynn proposed a resolution urging for the city to expand eligibility for Mayor Wu's pilot program providing free admission to museums for Boston Public Schools students and their families, proposing opening up to students who do not attend the city's public schools.[27] Councilor Sharon Durkan had the resolution sent to committee for further consideration, rather than put to an immediate vote, noting that the existing program was still in a pilot phase and arguing that further discussion should be had before voting on the resolution.[28]

In October 2024, Murphy and Councilor Flynn proposed their own alternative to Mayor Wu's initial proposal to adjust commercial property taxes.[29] After Mayor Wu introduced a new proposal later that month (reached after a compromise between Wu and business organizations that had opposed Wu's earlier proposal),[30] Murphy filed a request to receive information related to new city positions that had been created during Wu's mayoralty. Information requested the job description, salary (and funding source of the salary), department, date of creation, qualifications for hires, status of hiring for each position, as well as a rationale for why each position was created. She asserted that she believed that this was important information for her to have.[31]

In November 2024, Murphy and Flynn proposed a resolution that would have recommended that the city's election department be placed under state receivership. Fellow councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson joined them in sponsoring the resolution (however, she ultimately abstained from the vote). The resolution was defeated, only receiving the votes of Flynn and Murphy in a vote of 2–7 (with four abstentions) The resolution had been proposed in reaction to ballot supply shortages experienced in the city on election day earlier that month. Other councilors expressed concern that such a recommendation would be premature, and argued that before making any such recommendation the council should first engage in due diligence (including an already-scheduled hearing featuring testimony by city election officials).[32]

2024 campaign for clerk of the Suffolk Supreme Judicial Court

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Murphy unsuccessfully sought the nomination in the Democratic Party primary election of the 2024 election for court clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County

Murphy announced her candidacy in March 2024. Incumbent clerk Maura Doyle (who had held the office since 1996) had already opted not to seek reelection.[33] Murphy's opponent in the primary was public defense attorney Allison Cartwright.[5] Since no candidates were seeking the Republican nomination, the winner of the September Democratic primary was anticipated to win the November general election without opposition.[34]

The clerk's office manages the law admissions of lawyers, disciplinary matters pertaining to lawyers, and single-justice cases of the high-court (appeals for emergency relief). The office is regarded as relatively obscure, with few locals being able to descvrtiber[35] While low-profile, the office is considered high-paying and tends to offer job security as incumbents serve longer terms than city councilors and have regularly been reelected.[36][35]

Murphy was described as campaigning on a mantle of being an "old-school moderate focused on constituent services". The alignment of endorsements for each candidate led the primary to be described as a proxy battle between the city's progressive politicians and the city's more conservative "old guard". Many prominent progressive politicians endorsed Cartwright, while many practitioners of more conservative "old-school" Boston politics endorsed Murphy.[34][35] Among those endorsing Murphy's candidacy were Boston city councilor Ed Flynn and U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch,[5] state senator Nick Collins, state representative Dan Hunt, city councilman John FitzGerald, and former mayor Raymond Flynn. Numerous of Murphy's prominent endorsers hailed from the neighborhoods of South Boston (including Collins and City Councillor Flynn) and Dorchester (including Hunt and FitzGerald).[36] Among those supporting Cartwright against Murphy were mayor Wu, governor Maura Healey state attorney general Andrea Campbell, and congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.[34] It was also described as a proxy battle between Mayor Wu's allies and her critics: with Wu and several allies endorsing Cartwright, and many Wu critics endorsing Murphy.[37] These dynamics led the race to garner far more interest than elections for the office had previously attracted.[35] Murphy and Cartwright's campaigns each raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.[36]

Murphy was defeated by Cartwright, winning 40% of the vote to Cartwright's 60%. Cartwright was the leading performer in 216 of 271 electoral precincts.[37] Having lost this election, Murphy now plans to run for re-election to the city council in 2025.[34]

Electoral history

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2019 Boston at-large City Council election
Candidate Primary election[38] General election[39]
Votes % Votes %
Michelle Wu (incumbent) 26,622 19.4 41,664 20.7
Annissa Essaibi George (incumbent) 18,993 13.8 34,109 17.0
Michael F. Flaherty (incumbent) 18,766 13.7 33,284 16.6
Julia Mejia 10,799 7.9 22,492 11.2
Alejandra St. Guillen 11,910 8.7 22,491 11.2
Erin Murphy 9,385 6.8 16,867 8.4
Althea Garrison (incumbent) 9,720 7.1 16,189 8.1
David Halbert 6,354 4.8 13,214 6.6
Martin Keogh 6,246 4.5  
Jeffrey Ross 5,078 3.7  
Priscilla Flint-Banks 4,094 3.0  
Domingos DaRosa 2,840 2.1  
Michel Denis 2,108 1.5  
William King 1,809 1.3  
Herb Lozano 1,510 1.10  
all others 766 0.6 704 0.4
Total 137,380 100 201,014 100
2021 Boston City Council at-large election
Candidate Primary election[40] General election
Votes % Votes %
Michael F. Flaherty (incumbent) 41,299 15.0 62,606 17.4
Julia Mejia (incumbent) 38,765 14.1 62,058 17.3
Ruthzee Louijeune 33,425 12.2 54,898 15.3
Erin Murphy 22,835 8.3 43,076 12.0
David Halbert 16,921 6.2 42,765 11.9
Carla Monteiro 18,844 6.9 39,876 11.1
Bridget Nee-Walsh 15,118 5.5 27,591 7.7
Althea Garrison 16,810 6.1 25,078 7.0
Kelly Bates 12,735 4.6  
Alexander Gray 11,263 4.1  
Jon Spillane 11,155 4.1  
Said Abdikarim 7,725 2.8  
Domingos DaRosa 7,139 2.6  
Donnie Palmer Jr. 6,823 2.5  
Roy Owens Sr. 5,223 1.9  
James Colimon 4,671 1.7  
Nick Vance 3,943 1.4  
Write-ins 845 0.3 1,350 0.4
Total 274,694 100 359,294 100
2023 Boston at-large City Council election[41]
Candidate Votes %
Ruthzee Louijeune (incumbent) 44,641 20.29
Erin Murphy (incumbent) 43,548 19.80
Julia Mejia (incumbent) 39,187 18.10
Henry Santana 34,151 15.53
Bridget Nee-Walsh 26,775 12.17
Shawn Nelson 10,512 4.78
Clifton A. Braithwaite 10,299 4.68
Catherine Vitale 8,560 3.89
Juwan Skeens write-in 113 0.05
all others 1,549 0.70
Total votes 219,965 100
2024 Democratic primary for Clerk of the Suffolk Supreme Judicial Court[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allison Cartwright 30,358 59.56
Democratic Erin Murphy 20,500 40.22
Write-in others 116 0.23
Total votes 50,974 100

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Blackley, Taylor (10 August 2021). "City council race: Erin Murphy running at-large seat". The Boston Scope. thescopeboston.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Erin J. Murphy". Boston.gov. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Miller, Yawu (9 November 2022). "White grievance politics surfaces on City Council". The Bay State Banner. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Wintersmith, Saraya (15 February 2023). "Boston City Council approves shift to elected school committee despite Wu's opposition". WGBH. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b c DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (5 April 2024). "What to know about this year's SJC Clerk for Suffolk County race — and what the job actually does". WBUR. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (November 22, 2021). "Why one newly elected Boston city councilor could start a month early". Boston.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  7. ^ Woodard, Tiana (November 4, 2021). "Halbert concedes to Murphy, who wins fourth at-large seat on the Boston City Council - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  8. ^ Gavin, Christopher (November 2, 2021). "Here's when Michelle Wu will become mayor of Boston". Boston.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Gavin, Christopher (December 1, 2021). "Erin Murphy sworn in as newest Boston city councilor at-large". Boston.com.
  10. ^ "Dorchester's Erin Murphy swears in as Boston City Councilor at large". dorchester.comunicas.org. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  11. ^ Gavin, Christopher (January 3, 2022). "Watch: Boston city councilors are sworn into office". Boston.com.
  12. ^ Fortin, Matt; Drysdale, Sam (2 September 2023). "4 Boston city councilors push for state of emergency over Mass. and Cass". NBC Boston.
  13. ^ Wintersmith, Saraya (15 February 2023). "Boston City Council approves shift to elected school committee despite Wu's opposition". WGBH. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  14. ^ Wintersmith, Saraya (17 February 2023). "Mayor Wu vetoes an elected school committee for Boston". WGBH. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b Jonas, Michael (5 April 2023). "For Ed Flynn, awkward roles of race healer and redistricting foe". CommonWealth Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. ^ Miller, Yawu (November 2, 2022). "Council passes 'unity' redistricting map". The Bay State Banner. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Platoff, Emma (November 7, 2022). "Mayor Michelle Wu signs new political map after contentious City Council process". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  18. ^ Sudborough, Susannah (May 9, 2023). "Federal judge throws out new Boston City Council district map". www.boston.com. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  19. ^ Miller, Yawu (May 31, 2023). "Redrawn Council map raises new issues". Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Mayor Michelle Wu signs off on new Boston electoral map". WBUR. May 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "Boston Council's Voting Expansion Faces Long Road". WHDH. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  22. ^ Fortier, Marc (8 March 2023). "'We're Sending a Big Message': Boston Mayor Applauds Passage of Rent Control Proposal". NBC Boston. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  23. ^ Lovett, Chris (December 20, 2023). "City Council Signs Off for the Year With Farewells and Final Votes". www.dotnews.com. Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  24. ^ Forry, Bill (January 10, 2024). "It's Time to Give Louijeune Her Due". The Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  25. ^ Norton, Michael P. (2 January 2024). "'I Believe in Boston': Ruthzee Louijeune Elected New City Council President". NBC Boston.
  26. ^ Cawley, Gayla (6 February 2024). "Council Clash: Domestic Violence Takes Center Stage". Boston Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  27. ^ Papadopoulos, Maria (28 February 2024). "Councilors file resolution for 'Sundays for All' to expand free museum access for Boston students". Boston 25 News.
  28. ^ Cristantiello, Ross (February 29, 2024). "Efforts to expand Mayor Wu's free museum program blocked on council, for now". Boston.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  29. ^ Kwangwari, Munashe (17 October 2024). "Alternatives to Mayor Wu's Embattled Property Tax Plan Discussed at Thursday Hearing". NBC Boston. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  30. ^ Farrar, Molly; Cristantiello, Ross (October 24, 2024). "Mayor Wu, business leaders compromise on property tax hike". Boston.com. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  31. ^ Cawley, Gayla (24 October 2024). "Amid Budget Crunch, Boston City Councilor Requests Data on New Positions Created By Mayor Wu". Boston Herald. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  32. ^
  33. ^ Multiple sources:
  34. ^ a b c d Wuthmann, Walter (4 September 2024). "Attorney Allison Cartwright declares victory in race for clerk of the SJC for Suffolk County". WBUR. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  35. ^ a b c d Wuthman, Walter (30 August 2024). "Few Know What An SJC Clerk Does — But It's the Hottest Political Race in Town". WBUR. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  36. ^ a b c Lovett, Chris (September 11, 2024). "News Analysis: How Cartwright Topped Murphy in SJC clerk Primary". Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Cartwright Tops Murphy in Race for SJC clerkship". Dorchester News. September 4, 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  38. ^ "City Councillor at Large" (PDF). City of Boston. September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019 – via boston.gov.
  39. ^ "City of Boston Municipal Election – November 5, 2019 - Recount City Councillor at Large" (PDF). www.boston.gov. City of Boston. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Unofficial Election Results". Boston.gov. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  41. ^ "City of Boston Municipal Election - November 7, 2023 City Councilor At Large" (PDF). www.cityofboston.gov. City of Boston. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  42. ^ "Municipal Elections in Suffolk County, Massachusetts (2024)". Ballotpedia. 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
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