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Rep. Murphy wins in a rompDefeats Republican, re-elected to his 4th term with 71% WEYMOUTH - Democratic Rep. James Murphy was re-elected to his fourth term last night in a landslide victory over his Republican challenger. Murphy, who celebrated the win last night at the Gourmet Oriental restaurant across from his childhood home, picked up 71 percent of the vote yesterday over Robert Montgomery Thomas. “Each election is energizing,” Murphy said last night. “I look forward to getting back to the State House and working hard.” The 4th Norfolk District covers 13 of the 18 precincts in Weymouth. Murphy celebrated with about 100 supporters, including his parents, sister, grandmother and girlfriend, last night. His mother, Maureen Murphy, said she was proud of her son and glad that another hectic re-election cycle is over. “As a mother, it never gets easier,” she said. “I worry about the stress that everybody that’s running goes through. I just can’t be more proud of him as a human being, not just a son.” Murphy said he is looking forward to working with Gov. Deval Patrick. He said Patrick’s victory is a positive step for Weymouth and its financial needs. “I think it will make the corner office accessible to state representatives,” he said. “Under the Romney administration, the corner office was in essence inaccessible.” One of Murphy’s first orders of business will be to secure money for a 3-mile walking, jogging and biking trail from North Weymouth to East Weymouth, connecting Abigail Adams and Great Esker parks. Constructing the trail will cost about $1.25 million. Murphy said $750,000 has already been earmarked for the project and $500,000 is reserved in a bond bill. Murphy said that since the governor authorizes bond spending, he is confident the project will move faster with a new governor. Murphy also said he will be able to build on the groundwork he laid in his past three terms. He spent most of the day yesterday stumping around town, waving to voters as they drove to the polls and at the entrance to the Fore River Bridge. He also picked up discarded Democratic campaign signs after the polls closed last night. “It’s something I like to do just by myself,” he said. “Throw them in my truck and go home.” Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.
Thomas outspends incumbent Murphy over 7-week periodThe Patriot Ledger / Nov. 2, 2006 The Republican challenging Rep. James Murphy in the 4th Norfolk District spent more than $60,200 of his own money in his bid to unseat the third-term incumbent. Robert Montgomery Thomas lent his campaign more than $65,000 and spent most of it between Sept. 2 and Oct. 20, according to reports filed with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Murphy spent only $3,990 during the same period, leaving him with $33,963 as of Oct. 20. Thomas beat Brad Bennion in the Republican primary without spending any money. Murphy, a Democrat, and Thomas are running to represent the district that consists of 13 of the 18 precincts in Weymouth. MURPHY The following people and organizations donated $100 or more to James. M. Murphy’s campaign between Sept. 2 and Oct. 20: $500 - Heather Engren, Weymouth; Weymouth Democratic Town Committee, Weymouth. $250 - Bridge - Structural Iron Workers Union, Boston; Gregory Hargadon, Weymouth. $200 - James Gibbons, Boston, Intl. Union of Operating Engineers Local 4, Medway, Mass. Council of Machinists, Saugus, Massachusetts Nurses PAC, Canton, Cathleen Murphy, Weymouth. $100 - Robert Ambler, Mashpee; Frank Baldassini, Pembroke; James Baldassini, Hingham; Kathleen Bloomfield, Weymouth; Kathleen Callahan, Weymouth; William Cass, Hanover; Committee Elect, Quincy; Committee Elect, Springfield; Committee Elect, Quincy; Robert Conlon, Weymouth; Richard DeLuca, Weymouth; Giuseppe DiPietro, Pembroke; John Doyle, Weymouth; Emiliano DePietro, Weymouth; Terrence Gibbons, Weymouth; Marjorie Gilligan, Weymouth; Margaret Goudy, Weymouth; Jane Hackett, Weymouth; Michael Lally, Quincy; Rosemary Leoncavallo, Rockland; Paula MacCormack, Hanover; Arthur Maier, Braintree; Mary Maier, Braintree; Joseph Maloney, Weymouth; John McAleer, Weymouth; Robert McCarthy, Weymouth; Deborah McDonald, Quincy; James McHugh, Weymouth; Paul Melvin, Boston; Virginia Melvin, Weymouth; Michael Lally, Quincy; Kerry Murphy, Weymouth; Richard Nash, Weymouth; John O’Connor, Scituate; Paul Oliverio, Weymouth; Timothy O’Sullivan, Weymouth; Edward O’Toole, Weymouth; Joseph Padula, Duxbury; John Smith, Weymouth; Salvatore and Mary Tollo, Weymouth; Jeffrey Wall, Weymouth; James Welch, Springfield.
Murphy and Thomas share some views WEYMOUTH - The two candidates for state representative in the 4th Norfolk District took many of the same positions in a debate last night but explained themselves in different ways. Democratic incumbent James Murphy and his Republican challenger, Robert Thomas, oppose MCAS graduation requirements and the death penalty. Both candidates also oppose giving driver’s licenses or in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants. Murphy called immigration “a big problem federally, a big problem locally,” but added, “I’m not against immigration. ... I’m here because of someone who came to this country legally.” Thomas took a harder line. “They stole their way through our country and now they’re trying to steal the benefits like in-state tuition,” he said. “I’m not going to give them a license. The only thing I’m going to give them is a one-way ticket home, and I’ll be driving the bus if I get the opportunity.” On the death penalty, Murphy said he opposes it primarily because of his experience as a Suffolk County prosecutor. “I’ve seen mistakes made by judges, I’ve seen mistakes made by defense lawyers, by prosecutors,” Murphy said. “If we don’t have a perfect judicial system, inevitably an innocent person will be put to death.” Thomas also opposes the death penalty, but said he would support it if he thought the system worked. “The way it’s set up, it does not work,” Thomas said. “I would personally like to pull the trigger, I would push the button for the injection, throw the switch for the electric chair.” Thomas said with the system as it is, he supports lifelong prison sentences for those who would be eligible for the death penalty. The candidates did part on some issues. Murphy said he would consider rolling back the income tax to 5 percent “if the timing is right” and the state is on strong financial footing. Thomas put more urgency to his answer. “Something has to be cut back,” he said. “The people demanded it ... There’s just no end to a tax-and-spend Legislature.” Thomas came out strongly against using all of the state budget surplus on local projects. “They can afford to give us our money back and still keep the rainy day fund solvent for use when it's absolutely necessary,” he said. “Not for year-end spending packages.” Murphy stressed the importance of surplus in the event of a sudden economic downturn. Thomas called the plans to redevelop the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station “a tragedy.” Murphy did not criticize the plans and said it is unclear what the effect will be on communities. He said the state should be a partner in handling the increased demand on resources and roads. Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.
State aid a key issue in race for Weymouth seatThe Patriot Ledger / Oct. 10, 2006 WEYMOUTH - One candidate sees a town that has weathered the state’s fiscal problems better than most. The other sees a town that isn’t reaping as much state money as it should. Local aid - how to get it, what to spend it on - is a key issue for the candidates in the race to be the state representative for the 4th Norfolk District, which covers 13 of the 18 precincts in Weymouth. Democratic incumbent James Murphy is seeking re-election against Weymouth Republican Robert Thomas. The two will debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle St. Murphy, elected in 2001 to fill the seat left by Rep. Paul Haley, has won four races since taking office. He said he’s been re-elected based on his ability to deliver state aid to Weymouth. “My focus has always been on local results for the community,” he said. “That’s what I believe people elect their state rep on. During this difficult financial time, Weymouth has been able to weather the storm better than most because of the local aid we’ve been able to provide.” Murphy pointed to the $1.25 million he’s working to bring back to the district to build a 3-mile walking, jogging and biking trail from North Weymouth to East Weymouth, connecting Abigail Adams and Great Esker parks. Murphy said he is turning next to getting $5 million in state money to change Bridge Street (Route 3A) into more of a parkway by sinking utility lines, improving the road and sidewalks and planting trees and shrubs. But Thomas, who failed in a bid to unseat Haley in 1996 and a bid for town councilor last November, said Murphy has not gotten Weymouth the money it needs for basic services. He called the town’s state aid “anemic.” “I don't see the job getting done ... he’s definitely not bringing home the bacon,” Thomas said. “We have a fire engine with the sheet metal wearing through. We've got an engine out of service. They should have the equipment they need.” Thomas said Murphy has been ineffective in getting face time with House leadership and bringing his district to the forefront. “We just need somebody that will, and I will, go to the podium and speak,” Thomas said. “If I have to filibuster by reading some the of the poetry I've written over the years, that’s what I'll do. You need to make your position known.” Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.
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