Patrick Murphy Announcement: Press Release

from the inbox, Murphy's press release:

Patrick Murphy Announces Candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General

Iraq War Veteran, Former JAG Officer, Former Congressman Enters Race With Strong Support

(Philadelphia, PA) - Iraq war veteran and former Congressman Patrick Murphy released the following statement today:

“I’ve spent my entire life protecting American families. I’m running for Attorney General because I want to continue that important work and make sure that the people of Pennsylvania have an advocate who will fight crime wherever it is – on the streets, in corporate boardrooms, or in Harrisburg,” said Patrick Murphy.

“Working families across the state are struggling. They deserve an Attorney General who will stand up for them. That means rooting out corruption and fighting against powerful special interests to protect hard-working taxpayers,” Murphy said. “As an Iraq war veteran, I prosecuted terrorists bent on killing Americans. I won’t back down from the challenges that face our Commonwealth.”

Patrick is supported by a broad range of Pennsylvanians from all walks of life and all over the state. They believe that he has the skills and experience to protect the Commonwealth and fight for working families.

“Patrick Murphy has demonstrated courage as an Army officer in war-torn Iraq and rare courage as an elected official. He has fought for his country, and he fights every day for what’s right,” said U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah. “He has demonstrated the leadership, energy and integrity to fight corruption, protect our families and keep our streets safe. Patrick Murphy is uniquely qualified to serve with distinction as Pennsylvania’s next attorney general.”

“Patrick Murphy is a working-class guy who didn’t forget where he came from. As a veteran and the son of police officer, he really understands what it takes to fight crime and protect Pennsylvania families,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Holden. “His integrity and dedication to public service is just what we need in our next Attorney General and I’m proud to support him.”

"You couldn't have a more qualified candidate. And, based on his performance as a United States Congressman, you couldn't elect a more dedicated public servant. Patrick Murphy will make an excellent Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Joseph Dougherty, Ironworkers Local 401.

"As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, I know that Patrick Murphy has the experience and leadership to be the chief law enforcement officer for the Commonwealth,” said Chris Asplen, former Assistant U.S. Attorney. “Patrick has proven as a JAG officer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney that he is smart, tough and dedicated to fighting crime. That is what it takes to protect Pennsylvania families and that is why Patrick will make a great Attorney General."


Endorsements

Elected Officials

Chaka Fattah, U.S. Rep.
Tim Holden, U.S. Rep.
Jason Altmire, U.S. Rep.
Ron Klink, Former U.S. Rep.
Kathy Dahlkemper, Former U.S. Rep.
Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Executive
Daylin Leach, State Senator
Chelsa Wagner, State Rep.
Dan Frankel, State Rep.
Tony Payton, State Rep.
Josh Shapiro, State Rep.
John Galloway, State Rep.
Mike Carroll, State. Rep.
Tina Davis, State Rep.
Steve Santarsiero, State Rep.
Tom Leighton, Wilkes-Barre Mayor
Brad Koplinski, Harrisburg City Council
J. Richard Gray, Lancaster Mayor
Mark McCracken, Clearfield County Commissioner
Connie Kough Pittenger, Huntingdon County Commissioner
Rick Vilello, Mayor of Lock Haven
Democratic Party Leaders
TJ Rooney, Former Chair, PA Dems
John Cordisco, Chair, Bucks County
Marcel Groen, Chair, Montgomery County
Greg Stewart, Chair, Centre County
Chris Tarsa, Chair, Lebanon County
Susan Hartman, Chair, Huntingdon County
Roger Lund, Chair, Adams County and State Committee South Central Caucus Chair
Frank Rosenhoover, Chair, Blair County
Greg Specht, Acting Chair, Juniata County
Bob Kefauver, Chair, York County
Don Hilliard, Chair, Jefferson County
Rick Thomas, Chair, Union County
Jesse Bloom, Chair, Lycoming County
Larry Kriess, Chair, Butler County
Rick Daugherty, Chair, Lehigh County
Sally Lyall, Chair, Lancaster County


Labor Leaders

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776
PA Conference of Teamsters
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Sprinkler Fitters Local 692
Plumbers Union Local 690
Ironworkers Local 401
Boilermakers Local 13
Boilermakers Local 19
American Postal Workers Union Local 7048
Communications Workers of American Local 13000
Steamfitters’ Local Union 420

Patrick Murphy’s Biography

Patrick Murphy is a husband. A father. The son of a police officer. A native Pennsylvanian. And his lifetime of experience has made him ready to be our state’s next Attorney General.

Patrick has law enforcement in his blood. He grew up in a row house in Northeast Philadelphia, where he learned the importance of public service at an early age from his father Jack Murphy, who was a Philadelphia police officer for more than 22 years after serving in the Navy.

Patrick has committed his life to protecting American families. After 9/11, he volunteered for combat to bring those who would harm Americans to justice. And whether it was prosecuting terrorists and leading convoys in Iraq, enacting tougher consumer protection laws at home, or putting child molesters and other dangerous criminals behind bars, Patrick has been dedicated to doing what it takes to keep our families safe and our neighborhoods secure.

After serving first in Bosnia, Patrick deployed to Iraq in 2003 as a paratrooper in the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division. In Baghdad, Patrick successfully prosecuted three Central Criminal Court cases, two of which convicted terrorists bent on killing Americans. Patrick was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Returning home, Patrick tried criminal cases in one of the Army’s busiest jurisdictions. He prosecuted multiple felony courts martial at both jury and bench trials.

Prior to his time in combat, Patrick was an assistant professor in the Department of Law at West Point, where he taught Constitutional and Military Law. Patrick also gained valuable experience as a prosecutor, both as a Judge Advocate and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In these roles, Patrick helped convict criminals of robbery, drug offenses and sexual assault.

Patrick’s experience as soldier and prosecutor in the Army gave him important perspective as a member of Congress. Patrick demanded better accountability from government and stronger penalties for those who take advantage of taxpayers. As a member of Congress, Patrick:

Passed a law that helps crack down on mortgage companies and big banks that take advantage of servicemembers.
Led the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the discriminatory policy that prevented gay men and women from serving openly in the military. Now, everyone has the same opportunity to serve our nation in uniform.
Created the Office of Financial Protection for Older Adults, which helps prevent the financial exploitation of seniors.
Worked to make government more efficient and less costly through the IMPROVE Act, which closes loopholes that lead to Medicare fraud
Introduced and passed the Improper Payments and Recovery Act, which will help eliminate $98 billion in wasteful spending every year.
Authored the Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, which provides federal scholarship money to the children of first responders killed in the line of duty. The bill was named after Daniel Faulkner, a Philadelphia cop who was murdered on the job.
Helped constituents like Emma DeVita. After she lost her retirement savings to Bernie Madoff’s infamous ponzi scheme, Emma and her son Michael came to Patrick for help. Patrick was able to recover $500,000 for the DeVitas.

As Attorney General, Patrick will stop at nothing to make sure law enforcement officials have the tools they need to keep dangerous criminals off the streets and protect families. As a member of Congress, he did this by fighting for funding that provided local cops with state of the art equipment and more resources to prevent gang violence.

Patrick graduated from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, where he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and was commissioned as an officer. He later graduated from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, where he worked at the Civil Law Clinic providing legal aid to those in need.

Patrick is currently a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP in Philadelphia. He also teaches at Widener Law and is active in the Wills for Heroes program, which provides free legal services to police officers, fire fighters and other emergency responders who risk their lives on the job.

Patrick lives in Bristol, Pennsylvania with his wife Jenni, his daughter Maggie, his son Jack and their dog Chloe. A Pennsylvania native, Patrick’s relatives still live across the state in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Luzerne County, Lebanon County and elsewhere.