Amanda Murphy

Amanda Murphy
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 36th district
Assumed office
March 4, 2014
Preceded by Mike Fasano
Personal details
Born (1970-06-05) June 5, 1970
Conway, South Carolina
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Matthew R. "Matt" Murphy
Children Savannah Paige Stacy, Cara Lynn Murphy, Sara Michelle Murphy
Alma mater Florida State University (B.S.)
Profession Financial advisor
Religion Baptist

Amanda Hickman Murphy (born June 5, 1970) is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 36th District, which is based in western Pasco County, stretching from Holiday to Aripeka, including the city of New Port Richey, since she was first elected in a special election in 2013.

History

Murphy was born in Conway, South Carolina in 1970, and moved with her family to Pasco County in 1971. After graduating from high school, she attended Florida State University, where she received a degree in political science in 1992. She began working for Raymond James Financial in 1999 at a local branch as a financial advisor, eventually rising to become the vice-president for investments.

Florida House of Representatives

When incumbent State Representative Mike Fasano, who had just been elected to the State House in 2012, resigned to accept an appointment by Governor Rick Scott to be the Pasco County Tax Collector,[1] a special election was held to determine his replacement. Murphy won the nomination of the Democratic Party uncontested, and advanced to the general election, where she faced Bill Gunter, the Republican nominee and a pastor. Murphy campaigned on "repealing the nuclear cost recovery fee charged by Duke Energy, lowering insurance rates and restoring school funding,"[2] and she claimed support from Alex Sink[3] and Charlie Crist,[4] while Gunter racked up the support of Jeb Bush[5] and Marco Rubio.[6] Murphy was endorsed by the Tampa Tribune, which praised her "impressive business and community service background," calling her the "stronger candidate" and predicting that "she will put people first, not her political party or party leadership."[7] She also picked up the endorsement of Fasano, despite the fact that he is a Republican and served in the party leadership in the legislature.[8] On October 15, 2013, the day of the election, Murphy ended up narrowly defeating Gunter by 322 votes, receiving 51% of the vote. She was sworn into office on March 4, 2014.[9]

While serving in the legislature, Murphy worked to sponsor legislation with Republican State Senator Rene Garcia to provide for Medicaid expansion as provided for by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[10] She also filed legislation that would allow constituents of hers living at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club to de-annex from St. Leo and live in unincorporated Pasco County.[11]

References

  1. Bousquest, Steve; Solochek, Jeffrey S. (August 6, 2013). "Gov. Rick Scott picks Rep. Mike Fasano to be Pasco's new tax collector". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  2. Shopes, Rich (October 15, 2013). "Democrat wins special election to replace Fasano in House District 36". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  3. Shopes, Rich (August 30, 2013). "Alex Sink endorses Amanda Murphy in Pasco House race". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  4. Shopes, Rich (October 3, 2013). "Crist endorses Democrat Murphy, Fasano says he voted for her". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. Shopes, Rich (September 30, 2013). "Former Gov. Bush backs Gunter in House District 36 race". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  6. Derby, Kevin (October 4, 2013). "The Stakes Are Raised With Big Endorsements in Pasco County House Battle". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  7. "Murphy for west Pasco House seat". Tampa Tribune. October 10, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  8. Henderson, Jeff (October 16, 2013). "Mike Fasano Gets the Win Even as Amanda Murphy Gets the Votes". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  9. Michael Van Sickler, Tampa Bay Times Link View all Articles (2014-03-04). "In opening remarks, Murphy zings Republican discord | Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  10. Mitchell, Tia (January 27, 2014). "Rep. Amanda Murphy files Medicaid expansion bill in House". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  11. "De-annexation bill for Lake Jovita headed to Tallahassee". Tampa Bay Times. February 11, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.

External links

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