Joseph L. Murphy

Joseph L. Murphy
Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate
In office 1945–1947
Preceded by	William E. Nolen
Succeeded by	Chester A. Dolan Jr.
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 7th Suffolk District
In office 1939–1949
Preceded by	Joseph P. Donahue
Succeeded by	William Joseph Keenan
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 16th Suffolk District
In office 1935–1939
Personal details
Born	January 25, 1907 South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
Died	October 4, 1973 (aged 66) Cambridge, Massachusetts
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic

Joseph Leo Murphy (January 25, 1907 – October 4, 1973) was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts General Court.

Early life

Murphy was born on January 25, 1907, in South Boston. He graduated from Dorchester High School and Boston University. Outside of politics, Murphy worked as an automobile salesman.

Politics

Murphy's political career began in 1934 when he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 1938 he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate. He was reelected in 1940 while serving overseas in the United States Army Air Corps. In 1941, Murphy filed legislation to place professional wrestling under the jurisdiction of the state boxing commission. He contended that wrestling was "a racket" and that even he could beat World Heavyweight Champion The French Angel. Paul Bowser challenged Murphy to fight "The Angel" and Murphy accepted. One of Murphy's senate colleagues, Chester A. Dolan, signed papers to be his manager. The match, however, never took place. In 1945, Murphy was elected Democratic floor leader. He was defeated by William Joseph Keenan in the 1948 Democratic primary.

In 1952, Murphy ran for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He finished third in the six-candidate Democratic primary with 13% of the vote.

In 1954 he for the United States Senate seat held by Leverett Saltonstall. He lost the Democratic nomination to State Treasurer Foster Furcolo.

In 1964, Murphy was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, but his name was ruled off the ballot due to a dispute over signatures on his nomination papers.

Later life

Murphy was a founder of Berkshire Downs in Hanover, Massachusetts. In 1962 he initiated a lawsuit that resulted in a complex legal battle over the track's ownership. He later went to work as an administrative assistant for the Metropolitan District Commission. Murphy died on October 4, 1973, at Cambridge Hospital.

See also

• Massachusetts legislature: 1935–1936, 1937–1938, 1939, 1941–1942, 1943–1944, 1945–1946, 1947–1948