George Murphy (Canadian politician)

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George Murphy
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for St. John's East
In office
October 27, 2011 – November 5, 2015
Preceded byEd Buckingham
Succeeded byDistrict Abolished
Personal details
Born
George Walter Murphy

(1963-04-22)April 22, 1963
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
DiedJune 5, 2021(2021-06-05) (aged 58)
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political partyNew Democrat (2010–2015)
Liberal (2003–2010,
2018–2021)
Residence(s)Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
OccupationTaxi Driver

George Walter Murphy (April 22, 1963 – June 5, 2021) was a Canadian politician, who served in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015.[1][2] He represented the electoral district of St. John's East for the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party.

Politics

Murphy first ran for election as a Liberal candidate in the district of St. John's East in the 2003 election, placing second with 14.56 per cent of the vote.[3]

In November 2010 Murphy decided to leave the Liberal party and run for the NDP nomination in the

Conception Bay East-Bell Island by-election.[4] Murphy placed second and received 26.14 per cent of the vote.[5]

In the 2011 provincial election Murphy ran as the NDP candidate in St. John's East. Murphy garnered 52.11 per cent of the vote to win the seat.[6][7]

On June 22, 2015, Murphy announced he would not be reoffering in the 2015 election.[8] Part of Murphy's district of St. John's East had been redistricted with fellow NDP MHA Lorraine Michael's seat; Michael successfully ran in the new district. Murphy returned to his previous career as a taxi driver following the 2015 election.[9]

Murphy has been the spokesperson of the Consumer Group for Fair Gas Prices since 2006, and regularly appeared in St. John's area media as a commentator on local gas prices.[10] Murphy distanced himself from the NDP after leaving office.[11]

In 2018, Murphy attended the NL Liberals' annual general meeting and stated that he supported the Liberals and Premier Dwight Ball.[12][13]

Murphy contested the 2019 provincial election as the Liberal candidate in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi but lost to NDP leader Alison Coffin.[14]

In 2021, Murphy unsuccessfully ran as the Liberal candidate in Harbour Main for the 2021 provincial election.[15][16]

Murphy died of a heart attack on the evening June 5, 2021 at his Seal Cove residence.[17]

Electoral record

2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: Harbour Main
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Helen Conway-Ottenheimer 3,180 54.47 -5.62
Liberal George Murphy 2,430 41.62 +10.98
New Democratic Tony Chadwick 228 3.91
Total valid votes 5,838
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Progressive Conservative hold Swing -8.30
Source(s)
"Officially Nominated Candidates General Election 2021" (PDF).
Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
"NL Election 2021 (Unofficial Results)"
. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes
New Democratic Alison Coffin 2,699
Liberal George Murphy 2,072
Progressive Conservative David Porter 1,436
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[18]
2011 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
 
NDP
George Murphy 2,766 52.11%
Progressive Conservative Ed Buckingham 2,175 40.98%
Liberal Michael Duffy 367 6.91%
}
By-Election
- December 2, 2010 On the death of Dianne Whalen, October 3, 2010[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative David Brazil 2,638 66.28% -5.51%
 
NDP
George Murphy 1,043 26.20% +15.96%
Liberal Joy Buckle 299 7.51% -10.46%
2003 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative John Ottenheimer 4,151 69.85
 
NDP
Bruce Clarke 864 14.54
Liberal George Murphy 862 14.50
 
Independent
Steve Durant 66 1.11

References

  1. ^ "NDP Leader Lorraine Michael re-elected". CBC News, October 11, 2011.
  2. ^ George Walter Murphy obituary
  3. ^ "District Profile: St. John's East". CBC News. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  4. ^ "Ex-Liberal switches to NDP". CBC News. November 1, 2010.
  5. ^ "December 2, 2010 By-Election Report: Conception Bay East - Bell Island" (PDF). Elections NL. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Electoral Districts: St. John's East". CBC. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "NDP celebrates historic gains". CBC News. October 11, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "NDP's George Murphy says he will not seek re-election this fall". CBC News. June 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "Free ride with George: Former MHA returns to work at Jiffy Cabs". CBC News. March 2, 2016.
  10. ^ Delaney, Anna (April 5, 2017). "'It's a bit of a kick in the pants': Gas price researcher predicts 4-cent spike". CBC News.
  11. ^ Roberts, Terry (December 2, 2015). "George Murphy's words, tone suggest he's done with the NDP". CBC News.
  12. ^ Fitzpatrick, Ashley (June 17, 2018). "Former MHA George Murphy not ruling out run for Newfoundland Liberals". SaltWire Network.
  13. ^ Fitzpatrick, Ashley (June 18, 2018). "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals set sights on 2019 election". SaltWire Network.
  14. ^ MacEachern, Daniel (May 16, 2019). "Exuberant NDP celebrates 'new era' as it holds St. John's seats, and wins back Labrador West". CBC News.
  15. ^ Mullin, Malone (March 27, 2021). "Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead". CBC News.
  16. ^ "Here are all the MHAs elected in the Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News. March 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "George Murphy, Gas Guru, Former MHA, Dies Suddenly". VOCM, June 6, 2021.
  18. ^ "Official Results of the 2019 Provincial Election" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. May 19, 2019.
  19. ^ "PC David Brazil wins byelection". CBC. December 2, 2010.