George Murphy (Canadian politician)

George Murphy is a Canadian politician, who served in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from the 2011-2015.[1] 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
Political party	New Democrat (2010-2015) Liberal (2003-2010, 2018-present)
Residence	St. John's, 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 general election where he placed second with 14.56% of the vote.[2]

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.[3] Murphy placed second and received 26.14% of the vote.[4]

In the 2011 provincial general election Murphy ran as the NDP candidate in St. John's East. Murphy garnered 52.11% of the vote to win the seat.[5]

On June 22, 2015, Murphy announced he would not be reoffering in the 2015 election.[6] 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.[7]

Murphy has been the spokesperson of the Consumer Group for Fair Gas Prices since 2006.[8] Murphy distanced himself from the NDP after leaving office.[9]

In 2018, Murphy attended the NL Liberals Annual General Meeting and stated that he now supports the Liberal party and Premier Ball.[10][11]

Murphy contested the 2019 provincial election as the Liberal candidate in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi but lost to NDP leader Alison Coffin.[12]

In 2021, Murphy was nominated as the Liberal candidate in Harbour Main for the 2021 provincial election.

Electoral record

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[13]

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%

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By-Election - December 2, 2010 On the death of Dianne Whalen, October 3, 2010[14]

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. "District Profile: St. John's East". CBC. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
3. "Ex-Liberal switches to NDP". CBC. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
4. "December 2, 2010 By-Election Report: Conception Bay East - Bell Island" (PDF). Elections NL. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
5. "Electoral Districts: St. John's East". CBC. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
6. "NDP's George Murphy says he will not seek re-election this fall". CBC. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
7. "Free ride with George: Former MHA returns to work at Jiffy Cabs". CBC News. Mar 2, 2016. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
8. Delaney, Anna (Apr 5, 2017). "'It's a bit of a kick in the pants': Gas price researcher predicts 4-cent spike". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
9. Roberts, Terry (Dec 2, 2015). "George Murphy's words, tone suggest he's done with the NDP". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
10. Fitzpatrick, Ashley (Jun 17, 2018). "Former MHA George Murphy not ruling out run for Newfoundland Liberals". Saltwire News. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
11. Fitzpatrick, Ashley (Jun 18, 2018). "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals set sights on 2019 election". Saltwire News. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
12. MacEachern, Daniel (May 16, 2019). "Exuberant NDP celebrates 'new era' as it holds St. John's seats, and wins back Labrador West". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 16, 2020.
13. "Official Results of the 2019 Provincial Election" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
14. "PC David Brazil wins byelection". CBC. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2014.