Paul McMurtry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul McMurtry
Rep Paul McMurtry.jpg
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 11th Norfolk district
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 30, 2007
Preceded byRobert Coughlin
Personal details
Born (1965-10-28) October 28, 1965 (age 56)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceDedham, Massachusetts
EducationNortheastern University (B.S.B.A.)
OccupationLegislator, Movie Theater Owner

Paul McMurtry is an American politician from Massachusetts. A Democrat, he has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2007. He represents the Eleventh Norfolk District, which includes his hometown of Dedham, Westwood, and the Eighth Precinct of Walpole.[1]

McMurtry attended elementary school at the now-closed Dexter School in Dedham,[2] and graduated from Dedham High School. He earned his B.S.B.A. in Management from Northeastern University. He has been self-employed since the age of twenty as the owner of several small businesses, including PM Productions, a video store he created while in college, and the Dedham Community Theatre, which he currently owns and operates. McMurtry is actively involved in the local branch of Rotary International, where he served twice as club president.

Representative McMurtry ran in a special election in 2007 to replace outgoing Representative Robert Coughlin. McMurtry ran as an independent having not held any prior elected office. He won a plurality of the vote in the three way race, garnering 37.6% of the vote overall and 53.8% in his hometown of Dedham.[3] McMurtry ran unopposed for re-election in every subsequent biannual election until John McDonald challenged him in 2018.

Personal life[]

McMurtry is Catholic and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.[4]

Political career[]

In 2018, McMurtry was one of the original sponsors of Bill H.4479, which placed restrictions on e-cigarettes and raised the age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21.[5] Citing the increasing vaping epidemic among youth, McMurtry sponsored the bill in able to "prevent young people from taking up the deadly habit and getting addicted to nicotine products". Governor Charlie Baker subsequently signed McMurtry's legislation.

The same year, McMurtry filed legislation to protect independent auto repair shops against vehicle manufacturers.[6] Some vehicle manufacturers use wireless technology to bypass current right to repair information sharing laws, and McMurtry's bill intends to renew discussion on keeping laws updated with the progress of technology.

In January 2019, The Boston Globe reported that McMurtry allegedly "walked up behind an incoming legislator and grabbed her backside during an orientation cocktail hour for newly elected members."[7] McMurtry denied the allegations.[7] The Globe also reported that McMurtry put an aide on leave after the aide filed a lengthy complaint against McMurtry's chief of staff.[7] The aide was given a one year's salary, signed a nondisclosure agreement, and resigned.[7]

Electoral history[]

Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2007 (Special Election)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Paul McMurtry 2,948 37.6%
Republican Douglas E. Obey 2,466 31.4%
Democratic Stephen M. Bilafer 2,424 30.9%
All Others 6 0.1%
Blank Votes 1
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 15,874 98.9%
All Others 172 1.1%
Blank Votes 7,274
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 12,766 98.6%
All Others 186 1.4%
Blank Votes 6,176
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2012
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 17,318 99.1%
All Others 151 0.9%
Blank Votes 7,257
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 11,922 99.1%
All Others 103 0.9%
Blank Votes 6,187
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2016
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 18,918 99.2%
All Others 153 0.8%
Blank Votes 6,936
Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2018
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul McMurtry 14,046 67.0%
Republican John G. McDonald 6,904 32.9%
All Others 21 0.1%
Blank Votes 1,317

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Member Profile – Paul McMurtry". Retrieved 2012-06-25.
  2. ^ "Dedham's Dexter building could get state funds for renovation". Boston.com. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  3. ^ "State Election – Town of Dedham". Retrieved 2012-06-25.
  4. ^ "Knights embarassed [sic] by members who voted against Mass. marriage amendment". Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  5. ^ "Massachusetts House votes to raise age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21". Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  6. ^ "Right-to-repair returns with wireless tech bill". Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  7. ^ a b c d "Top state representative grabbed incoming lawmaker's backside, colleagues say". Retrieved 2019-01-16.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""