Ed Murray (born March 28, 1958) is a former Secretary of State of Wyoming. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Ed Murray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 21st Secretary of State of Wyoming | |
| In office January 5, 2015 – February 9, 2018 | |
| Governor | Matt Mead |
| Preceded by | Max Maxfield |
| Succeeded by | Ed Buchanan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 28, 1958 Laramie County, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Caren Murray |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Arizona (BA) University of Wyoming (JD) |
Murray was widely seen as a probable candidate for governor of Wyoming in the 2018 Election,[1][2][3][4] but on January 23, 2018, amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, Murray announced he would not seek reelection or run for higher office in 2018, stating he was putting family above politics, and following a number of sexual misconduct allegations.[5][6][7]
Early life and education
editOne of eight children, Murray was born and raised in Laramie County in a family in the Cheyenne community.[8] He graduated from Central High School in 1976 and received an undergraduate degree in business administration with dual majors in finance and real estate from the University of Arizona.[9] Murray graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law.[when?][10][better source needed]
Career
editMurray is a real estate investor and developer. He owns Murray Investment and Development which contained 16 business entities as of 2014.[11][12] Murray is an advocate of economic development in Wyoming, in 2016 arguing against an increase in state businesses' annual filing fee.[13][14][15]
2014 Wyoming Secretary of State election
editIn March 2014, Secretary of State Max Maxfield announced that he would not seek reelection. Murray declared his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination in April. Murray, who had never run for political office, won the Republican Primary by defeating five other candidates. Murray ultimately gained 37% of the vote, winning by only 1,632 votes over state Representative Edward Buchanan, the former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives.[16][17] Murray went on to defeat Libertarian Party nominee Howard "Kit" Carson and Constitution Party nominee Jennifer Young in the general election, receiving 77% of the vote in a state widely known to support Republican candidates.[18][19]
Wyoming Secretary of State
editIn his official capacity as Secretary of State Murray was Wyoming's Chief Business Registrar, Chief Elections Officer, Securities Commissioner, and Notaries Public Commissioner. Secretary Murray chaired the State Canvassing Board and served with four other statewide elected officials on the State Loan and Investment Board, the Board of Land Commissioners and the State Building Commission. Because Wyoming has no lieutenant governor, the secretary of state serves as acting governor if the governor is absent from the state or becomes incapable of serving.[12]
In the summer of 2016, the Secretary of State's Office announced the launch of a business service which allows for the electronic filing of official documents and retrieval of records that were previously available only upon request. As a result, the time to process a business filing decreased from five days to as low as thirty minutes.[20][21][22][23]
Murray, a Republican, opposed the formation of President Donald Trump's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity because of federal overreach into state sovereignty and was pleased when it was officially dissolved in 2018.[24]
Murray categorically refuted any claims of rigging or interference in the Wyoming elections that he oversaw.[25][26]
Sexual Allegations and Drunk Driving
editBeginning in December 2017, a woman accused Murray of sexually assaulting her in 1982, when she was an intern at the same law firm where Murray was an attorney. The woman claimed to have been inspired to tell her story as part of the #Metoo movement.[27] Murray denied the allegation.[28] In January 2018 another woman accused him of a forced kiss on New Year's Eve 1988; saying in a statement that Murray said to her: "Everyone should have a kiss on New Year’s Eve." Murray said in a statement that he did not remember that incident. In the same statement, he said he would not run for governor or seek higher office.[5][6]
Murray resigned on February 9, 2018. In his statement of resignation, Murray stated: "After deep and profound contemplation, I am announcing my resignation as secretary of state, effective today. I step aside with peace and serenity in order that I may fully focus on what is most important in my life: my marriage, my family and my health."[7][29][30]
In December 2019, Murray was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.[31] He was later placed on probation.
Personal life
editMurray and his wife Catherine ("Caren") are the parents of four adult daughters. Murray is Catholic.[32]
References
edit- ^ Raymond, Adam k. (December 15, 2017). "Former Intern Accuses Wyoming's Secretary of State of Sexual Assault". New York.
- ^ Cournoyer, Caroline (January 24, 2018). "Amid Sexual Allegations, Wyoming Secretary of State Ends 2018 Hopes". Governing.
- ^ Hancock, Laura (June 29, 2016). "Lummis not ruling out run for governor". Casper Star-Tribune.
- ^ Funk, Joel (September 20, 2017). "GOP candidate for Wyoming governor remains unclear". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ a b Rosenfeld, Arno (January 24, 2018). "Second woman accuses Murray of sexual misconduct; Secretary of state won't seek reelection or higher office". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Wilson, Reid (January 24, 2018). "Wyoming official won't run for governor after harassment allegations". The Hill. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Rosenfeld, Arno (February 9, 2018). "Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray resigns; move caps dramatic fall for Cheyenne politician". Casper Star-Tribune.
- ^ "Barbara Murray Obituary". Schrader, Aragon &Jacoby Funeral Home. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Stottlemyre, Matthew (June 30, 2014). "Business man running for top state business office". Gillette News-Record. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ "Bellinghiere: Murray an excellent choice". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ Hancock, Laura. "Ed Murray thinks business experience will help in Wyoming secretary of state bid". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "About the Secretary". Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- ^ Orr, Becky (October 1, 2017). "What's right and wrong with downtown? Day 1, Downtown Cheyenne: Ready for renewal?". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Cheyenne. Retrieved March 27, 2017.(subscription required)
- ^ Orr, Becky (April 20, 2011). "Downtown getting giant cherub mural". Wyoming Tribune Eagle.(subscription required)
- ^ Graham, Andrew (February 9, 2017). "Murray calls fees bill reckless; rouses House leaders' ire". WyoFile. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Graff, Trevor (August 19, 2014). "Ed Murray wins close Secretary of State race". Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
- ^ Nickerson, Gregory (June 3, 2014). "Wyoming secretary of state candidates wary of "big money" race". WyoFile.
- ^ "Ed Murray Elected Secretary of State". KGWN. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ "Murray will be Wyoming secretary of state". Casper Star-Tribune Online. The Associated Press. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
- ^ "New online biz tools will cut red tape". Wyoming Business Report. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Matt (July 12, 2016). "Secretary of State now offers business filings online". Wyoming Tribune Eagle.(subscription required)
- ^ "SOS Announces New Online Services for Businesses". Sheridan Media. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Public can search more business, nonprofit documents on state site". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- ^ Morton, Tom (January 4, 2018). "Wyoming Secretary of State Applauds the End of Federal Election Commission". k2radio.com. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "In Their Own Words: Officials Refuting False Claims of Voter Fraud". Brennan Center for Justice. April 13, 2017.
- ^ Hancock, Laura=May 14, 2017. "While Trump maintains voter fraud, Murray says no evidence of significant illegal voting in Wyo". Casper Star Tribune.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Mullen, Maggie (December 17, 2017). "Wyoming Secretary Of State Ed Murray Accused Of Sexual Assault". Wyoming Public Radio.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Arno (December 14, 2017). "Woman says Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager". Casper Star-Tribune.
- ^ Sec. of State Murray resigns amid sex allegations, Jackson Hole News & Guide, John Spina Feb 9, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- ^ "Ed Murray (Wyoming)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Former Wyoming Secretary of State Murray arrested Friday for DUI".
- ^ Hancock, Laura (June 27, 2015). "Pope's environment letter divides Wyoming Catholics". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2017.