Former Merced Mayor Mike Murphy launched his campaign for the Assembly on Monday.
Murphy will run for Assembly District 27, which will be an open seat since Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) is running for State Senate.
Driving the news: Murphy made the move official on Monday after forming a committee earlier this year to explore a run.
- After returning from law school in 2009 and starting as a small business lawyer, Murphy was elected to the Merced City Council in 2011 and as mayor in 2015, where he would serve through 2020.
What he’s saying: “California’s Central Valley is the backbone of our state, and for too long we’ve been ignored and left behind by the politicians in Sacramento,” Murphy said. “I am running to be a champion for the Valley, to increase public safety, reduce the cost of living, improve transportation, increase access to quality healthcare, and create a secure water supply – because these are the issues that directly impact our families, businesses, and future generations.”
State of the race: Murphy looked to be a formidable challenger to Soria for the 27th District, Soria’s pivot to the Senate could make it an easier road for a Republican like Murphy to win the race.
- District 27 voters supported former President Joe Biden by 13.6% in 2020 but flipped to President Donald Trump by a 2.7% margin last year, according to data from the California Target Book. That’s despite Democrats holding a 12% lead in voter registration in the district.
- Murphy and Soria have been the only candidates so far to file paperwork with the state to run in District 27.
