Name Search:

Murphy, Mary Catherine

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1977-82 (District 14B); House 1983-2002 (District 8A): House 2003-2012 (District 6B); House 2013-2022 (District 3B)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Carlton, Lake, St. Louis

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 10/25/1939

Birth Place: Duluth, Minnesota

Birth County: St. Louis

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death: 12/25/2024

Gender: Female

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Hermantown

Occupation (when first elected): American History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

EDUCATION

Hermantown High School; Secondary;
College of St. Scholastica; B.A.; History and Economics, 1961
University of Minnesota, Duluth; Attended Graduate School;
Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota; Attended Graduate School;
American University, Washington D.C.; Attended Graduate School;
University of Wisconsin, Superior; Attended Graduate School;
Indiana University; Attended Graduate School;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Great Lakes Commission; 19?? to 19??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission; 2006 to 12/31/2008 [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse:
Children:
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

She ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Senate in a 1985 special election.

She is the longest serving female legislator and the second longest serving legislator. Rep. Lyndon Carlson is the longest-serving legislator.

She ran in the House District 3B election in 2022, but was defeated by 33 votes.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan 2nd, from 5-7pm with Wake Prayers at 6:30pm, in the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday, Jan. 3rd from 10am to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Raphael's Church, 5779 Seville Rd, Duluth, 55811. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

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Total Days Served: 16800

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: House

District: 03B

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023
Oath Date: 1/5/2021

Counties Represented: Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2021 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2021 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Legacy Finance Minutes
Redistricting (Chair) Minutes
Transportation Finance and Policy Minutes

Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

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91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: House

District: 03B

Elected: 11/6/2018

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/8/2019

Counties Represented: Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2019 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2019 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 2nd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
2020 4th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 4th Sp.S. - Author
2020 5th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 5th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Ethics (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform Minutes
Ways & Means: Capital Investment Division (Chair) Minutes
Ways & Means: Education Finance Division Minutes
Ways & Means: Legacy Finance Division Minutes

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: House

District: 03B

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/6/2019
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education Finance Minutes
Ethics Minutes
Legacy Funding Finance Minutes

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: House

District: 03B

Elected: 11/4/2014

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/6/2015

Counties Represented: Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education Finance Minutes
Ethics Minutes
Legacy Funding Finance Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: House

District: 03B

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Ethics Minutes
Government Operations Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Legacy Minutes
State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs (Chair) Minutes

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
2012 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance: Legacy Funding Division Minutes
Redistricting Minutes
State Government Finance Minutes

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/4/2008

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/6/2009

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Ethics (Chair) Minutes
Finance Minutes
Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division (Chair) Minutes
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

E-12 Education Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Ethics (Chair) Minutes
Finance Minutes
Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division (Chair) Minutes
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Early Childhood Learning Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: K-12 Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Finance: Public Safety Finance Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/2/2004

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/3/2005 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/4/2005

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Public Safety Policy and Finance Minutes

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 1/2/2005
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Ethics Minutes
Judiciary Policy and Finance Minutes

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Grounds Manager/Historical Preservation/Reader/Teacher

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Crime Prevention Minutes
Ethics
Judiciary Finance Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/4/1999 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/5/1999

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: Historical Preservation/Reader/Teacher

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Crime Prevention
Ethics Minutes
Judiciary Finance

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 1/3/1999
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Ethics (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil and Family Law Division
Judiciary: Judiciary Finance Division (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/8/1994

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/2/1995 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/3/1995

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs
Judiciary
Judiciary Finance (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/1/1995
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Equality
Education
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Law - Ex Officio Member
Judiciary: Criminal Justice and Family Law - Ex Officio Member
Judiciary: Judiciary Finance Division (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations
Ways and Means

Session Notes: Her margin of victory over Jan Grannes was only 161 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount she was declared the winner by 153 votes.

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Human Resources Division
Economic Development
Economic Development: Review of Economic Development Strategies
Energy (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations

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76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/8/1988

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/2/1989 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/3/1989

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Health and Human Services Division
Commerce
Commerce: Tourism
Economic Development
Economic Development: Rural Resource Development Division (Chair)

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/1/1989
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Health and Human Services Division
Commerce
Commerce: Tourism
Economic Development and Housing
Economic Development and Housing: Housing and Community Development
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation Division (Chair)

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/6/1984

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/7/1985 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/8/1985

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Human Services Division
Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Liquor
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: Video Display Terminal

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: House

District: 08A

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/6/1985
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Health, Welfare, and Corrections Division
Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Commerce and Job Creation (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: General Labor Legislation

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1981

Body: House

District: 14B

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
Oath Date: 1/6/1981

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Affairs and Tourism
Commerce and Economic Development: Liquor
Governmental Operations
Governmental Operations: Administration
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: Negotiations and General Labor Legislation (Chair)

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71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1979

Body: House

District: 14B

Elected: 11/7/1978

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/1/1979 to 1/4/1981
Oath Date: 1/3/1979

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce, Economic Development and Housing
Commerce, Economic Development and Housing: Business and Job Development
Judiciary [She served in 1980 only.]
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: Negotiation, General Labor and Legislation (Chair)
Local and Urban Affairs
Local and Urban Affairs: Governmental Administration and Structures

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1977

Body: House

District: 14B

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Hermantown

Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 12/31/1978
Oath Date: 1/4/1977

Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis

Occupation: American History and Social Studies Teacher, Duluth Central High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Labor-Management Relations
Local and Urban Affairs

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Lawler, Christa. "Mary Murphy, 1939-2024: Longest-Serving Woman in the Minnesota House." Star Tribune, December 27, 2024, p. A5.
"Longtime Legislator, Teacher Mary Murphy Dies Following Stroke." Duluth News Tribune, December 25, 2024.
Hegman, Sonja. "Looking to the Past: Division Hears New Deal's Controversial Story." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 27, 2009, p. 3.
"Minnesota House of Representatives - Bio for Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL)." Minnesota House, 2009 [?].

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

1977 (14B)

1978 (14B)

1979 (14B)

1980 (14B)

1981 (14B)

1982 (14B)

1983 (08A)

1984 (08A)

1985 (08A)

1986 (08A)

1987 (08A)

1988 (08A)

1989 (08A)

1990 (08A)

1991 (08A)

1992 (08A)

1993 (08A)

1994 (08A)

1995 (08A)

1996 (08A)

1997 (08A)

1998 (08A)

1999 (08A)

2000 (08A)

2001 (08A)

2002 (08A)

2003 (06B)

2004 (06B)

2005 (06B)

2006 (06B)

2007 (06B)

2008 (06B)

2009 (06B)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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