Official Website
202-225-4476
B.A., Williams College, J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law
Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform
$3,004,570.
| Sam S. F. Caligiuri (R) | 102,092 | (44.9%) |
| Chris Murphy (D) | 118,231 | (52%) |
| Sam S. F. Caligiuri (I) | 2,310 | (1%) |
| Chris Murphy (WF) | 4,648 | (2.1%) |
| 0 | (0%) |
Election history: Murphy upset Republican incumbent Nancy Johnson in 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, and easily won re-election in 2008 with nearly 60 percent. Although the 5th District was targeted by national Republicans, Murphy hung on to win, 54 percent to 46 percent. Murphy previously was elected to two two-year terms in the state House of Representatives and two two-year terms in the state Senate, beginning in 1998. He is considering a 2012 race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joe Lieberman.
Murphy was labeled an up-and-comer in 2009 when he was appointed to co-chair the Frontline Program, the House Democrats' system of mentoring vulnerable freshmen in what is expected to be a Republican year. In that role, he raised about $1 million for other vulnerable Democrats.
"He has made his mark very quickly," said U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
As his own re-election drew closer, however, Murphy ramped down that role and focused on his own contest, which turned out to be tougher than Democrats expected. His 2010 race against state Sen. Sam Caligiuri, a Republican from Waterbury, drew nearly $1 million in spending from outside GOP-leaning groups, who aired attack against Murphy and put him on the defensive in the closing days of the campaign. He ended up winning by a margin of 8 points, but it could give him pause as he ponders a statewide Senate contest in 2012.
Still, Murphy is the Democrat whom Republicans say they admire for his willingness to twice give up safe legislative seats to take on what appeared to be formidable challenges. And he has openly said he's considering a Senate run.
Murphy voted for the Wall Street bailout, an increase in the minimum wage and a ban on discrimination against gays in the workplace. He opposed an abortion ban tied to foreign aid and an effort to repeal Washington D.C., gun control law. He has portrayed himself as a moderate Democrat on fiscal issues and called for some restraint on federal spending. He voted against the $858 billion tax cut deal that extended all the Bush-era breaks, saying it favored the rich and contributed to the national debt.
In group ratings compiled by the Almanac of American Politics, Murphy's composite voting record was 62 percent liberal and 38 percent conservative in 2008.
He is married to Cathy Holahan, a legal-aid lawyer. They have one child.
2009 Financial Disclosure: Murphy's net worth is between $400,001 and $969,998, putting him at 237th in the House, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. He also had two outstanding debts, with a combined total of between $30,002 and $100,000. To see a copy of his financial disclosure statement, click here.
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THE MINIMUM WAGE
Connecticut's hourly minimum wage of $8.25 is one of the highest in the nation, trailing Washington at $9.04, Oregon at $8.80 and Vermont at $8.46.
Five of the six New England states exceed the federal minimum of $7.25. The exception is New Hampshire, whose minimum is the same as the feds.
Connecticut is one of 18 states with a minimum higher than the federal standard. Twenty-thrree are at the federal level, four are below it and five have no minimum wage.
Ten states have a minimum wage indexed to the cost of living.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
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