Sen. Jack Murphy Announces Re-election Bid

Senator Jack Murphy this week announced his re-election bid for a fourth term in the race for State Senate District 27 in Forsyth County, according to a news release.

Murphy also welcomed newcomer Steve Voshall to the race. Voshall, the chair of the Forsyth County Tea Party, .

"America is the greatest county on the planet because of our constitutionally protected freedoms," Murphy said. "One of those treasured freedoms is the right to vote and the right to run for office. So I welcome my opponent to the race for state Senate and look forward to a spirited campaign."

Murphy said in the release that he looks forward to the opportunity to debate Voshall and talk about his record of sense and conservative leadership.

"It's no secret that our country, our state, and our community have been through some tough times," he said. "This downturn has affected everyone. But with the common sense, conservative approach that I have brought to the Senate and the leadership that has been shown by Governor Deal and myself, we're starting to come back."

"The recent tax cuts and job growth across the state didn't happen by accident. They happened because elected leaders such as Governor Deal and myself live in reality and we govern with best interests of the people in mind."

Sen. Murphy, who is in his fifth term in the General Assembly, and third term in the State Senate, presently serves as the chair of the Banking and Financial Institutions.

He is also a member of Ethics, Insurance and Labor, Transportation, and Public Safety Committees. In addition, Sen. Murphy also serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee and as the Sub-­Committee Chair of Insurance and Labor, Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

"Our families can't afford wannabe politicians whose absurd claims undermine and harm the reputation of our entire community," said Murphy. "It's foolish to claim that a State Senator could stop over 78 bank failures across the state."

"Like a lot of hardworking people in our state, I lost my entire retirement when the banks I invested in failed. If anyone would want to stop these bank closings, it would be me," he said.

Prior to his election to the General Assembly, where he served two terms in the House of Representatives, Sen. Murphy served in the United States Air Force for four years, during which time he also attended the University of Delaware for two years. Upon completion of his Air Force service, he returned to Georgia and began working for Orkin, where he rose to the position of vice president of the Central Region. As Vice President, he was responsible for seven districts and 44 branches and also generated $37 million in revenue.

He later founded the Radar Exterminating Company in Atlanta, where he was president and CEO. Under his direction, the company grew from one office to 12 and increased revenue from $100,000 to $7.5 million. The Radar Exterminating Company also was presented with the Forsyth County Small Business Award in 1995. Outside of the Georgia Legislature, Sen. Murphy is the president and CEO of a private investment firm consisting of rental properties.

Aside from his professional and legislative involvement, Sen. Murphy also has been active in his community. In 2001, he served as the chairman of the Cumming-­‐Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and the president of the South Forsyth Rotary.

He is a graduate of Leadership Forsyth and currently serves on the board of directors for , a local mentoring program.

Sen. Murphy attends the  in Cumming where he has served on the vestry and the church's Financial Committee. He and his wife, Linda, have seven children and 11 grandchildren. In his free time, Sen. Murphy enjoys playing golf, hunting and traveling.

"Our families deserve serious leadership, not foolishness," he said. "I look forward to discussing in the coming months the common sense, conservative leadership that has been my consistent record in public service."

Voters will have a chance to hear Murphy and Voshall discuss the issues when the Forsyth County Republican Party hosts the candidates running for State House District 24, 25, and 26 and State Senate District 27 on June 27.

Read more about Sen. Murphy on the Georgia State Senate Web site.