Scott Murphy

Matthew Scott Murphy is a former American politician and entrepreneur who served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 20th congressional district from April 2009 until January 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, Murphy's congressional tenure was marked by his involvement in various legislative initiatives and committee assignments. He was defeated in his bid for a full term in the House during the November 2010 elections.

Early life and career

Scott Murphy was born on January 26, 1970. He grew up in a family where education and public service were valued; his father worked as a mail carrier, while his mother was a teacher. Murphy completed his secondary education at David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, graduating in 1988. He then pursued higher education at Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude, indicating a strong academic performance.

Following his graduation, Murphy began his professional career in the financial sector, working for Bankers Trust for two and a half years in the early 1990s. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Small World Software in 1994, an interactive media company that grew to employ 25 individuals. In 1998, the company was acquired by iXL, an internet consulting firm, where Murphy took on a leadership role in the newly branded iXL New York. However, the company faced challenges during the dot-com bubble and ultimately went bankrupt in 2002.

In 2001, Murphy transitioned to a role at Advantage Capital Partners, a firm focused on impact investing, which aims to foster business growth and job creation in communities that have historically lacked access to investment capital. His professional background also includes serving as an aide, Deputy Chief of Staff, and fundraiser for former Missouri Governors Mel Carnahan and Roger B. Wilson. Additionally, he has held leadership positions in various organizations, including serving as past-President of the Board of Directors of Upstate Capital Association, which was formerly known as the Upstate Venture Association of New York, Inc.

House tenure

Murphy's political career in the U.S. House of Representatives began with a special election held in 2009. This election was necessitated by the appointment of Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to the United States Senate, following Hillary Clinton's transition to the role of Secretary of State. On February 1, 2009, Murphy was selected as the Democratic nominee for the special election by a unanimous vote of ten county chairs within the Democratic Party.

In the special election, Murphy faced Republican nominee Jim Tedisco, who had previously served as the Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly. The campaign garnered significant attention, and Murphy received endorsements from prominent figures, including President Barack Obama and Senator Gillibrand. The election was closely contested, with initial results showing Murphy leading by a narrow margin of approximately 60 votes out of over 150,000 cast. After a thorough counting of absentee ballots and re-tallies, Murphy's lead increased to 399 votes, leading to Tedisco's concession. Murphy was officially sworn into office on April 29, 2009.

During his time in the House, Murphy participated in several key votes and legislative discussions. Notably, on November 7, 2009, he voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which was a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming the healthcare system. He expressed opposition to the Stupak Amendment, which sought to limit federal funding for health plans that included coverage for elective abortions.

In March 2010, Murphy supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, which aimed to expand healthcare coverage and reform various aspects of the healthcare system. His legislative actions also included a vote in December 2010 for the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act. This legislation mandated criminal background checks for school employees and prohibited the hiring of individuals who refused to consent to such checks or who had been convicted of specific violent or sexual crimes against children.

Legislative focus and committees

During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Murphy served on two key committees: the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Armed Services. His assignments on these committees reflected a focus on issues pertinent to both agriculture and national defense.

Within the Committee on Agriculture, Murphy participated in several subcommittees, including those focused on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, as well as Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, and Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. These subcommittees addressed a range of topics related to agricultural policy, sustainability, and the economic viability of farming practices.

In addition to his work on agricultural issues, Murphy was also a member of the Committee on Armed Services. His involvement in this committee included participation in subcommittees that dealt with Terrorism and Unconventional Threats, as well as Strategic Forces. This work involved oversight of military operations, defense policy, and national security matters.

Murphy's congressional career was relatively brief, as he served only one term before being defeated in the November 2010 elections. His defeat marked the end of his time in the House, concluding a tenure that was characterized by active participation in legislative processes and committee work.

In his personal life, Murphy is married to Jennifer Hogan, who hails from Washington County, New York. The couple has three children, who attend school in New York City while also maintaining a part-time residence in Glens Falls. Murphy's background as both an entrepreneur and a public servant reflects a commitment to community engagement and public service.