George Murphy (Canadian politician)

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.

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 by	Ed Buckingham
Succeeded by	District Abolished
Personal details
Born	George Walter Murphy (1963-04-22)April 22, 1963 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Died	June 5, 2021(2021-06-05) (aged 58) Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political party	New Democrat (2010–2015) Liberal (2003–2010, 2018–2021)
Residence(s)	Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupation	Taxi Driver

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

v t e 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.