Rich Murray (politician)

Richard J. "Rich" Murray (born July 21, 1957) is a Minnesota politician serving as the mayor of Albert Lea, Minnesota, since 2023. From 2011 to 2013, he served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 27A, which includes all or parts of Freeborn and Mower Counties.

Rich Murray
Mayor of Albert Lea
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byVern Rasmussen Jr.
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 27A district
In office
January 4, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byRobin Brown
Succeeded bydistrict redrawn
Personal details
BornJuly 21, 1957
Owatonna, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
SpouseSandy
Children4
ResidenceAlbert Lea, Minnesota
Alma materMankato State University
University of St. Thomas
Professionsmall business owner, investment advisor, legislator, veteran

Early life, education, and career

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Murray graduated from Mankato State University, receiving his B.S. in business, and later attended the University of St. Thomas, earning his M.B.A. He also served in the U.S. Army.[1]

Murray is also an investment advisor and small business owner of ISC Financial Advisors, based in Minneapolis and Albert Lea.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Elections

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A Republican, Murray was elected to the House in 2010, unseating incumbent Representative Robin Brown by 57 votes after a recount. In 2012, he lost reelection to DFL nominee Shannon Savick by 653 votes.[2]

2012 Minnesota State Representative- House 27A[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Shannon Savick 9743 47.70
Republican Rich Murray (Incumbent) 9090 44.50
Independence William J. Wagner 1574 7.71
2010 Minnesota State Representative- House 27A[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Robin Brown (Incumbent) 7454 49.77
Republican Rich Murray 7511 50.15

Tenure

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Murray was sworn in on January 4, 2011. He served in the 87th Minnesota legislature. He served on the Government Operations and Elections, the Jobs and Economic Development Finance, the State Government Finance, and the Transportation Policy and Finance committees.[1][5]

Personal life

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Murray is married to his wife, Sandy. They have 4 children and reside in Albert Lea. Active in his community and church through the years, Murray has been a member of the local Salvation Army Board, the Albert Lea Technical College Foundation Board, the Naeve Healthcare Foundation Board, the Southern Minnesota Judicial Ethics Committee, the Circle of Parenting Child Abuse Prevention Board, the local United Way, and local youth athletics and recreation programs.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Murray, Rich
  2. ^ Minnesota 27A Election Results
  3. ^ "Results for State Representative District 27A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  4. ^ "Results for State Representative District 27A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Rich Murray (R) 27A - Minnesota House of Representatives
  6. ^ About Rich Murray
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