Marty Joe Murray
2025 - Present
2027
0
Marty Joe Murray (Democratic Party) is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 78. He assumed office on January 8, 2025. His current term ends on January 6, 2027.
Murray (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent District 78. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Murray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Marty Murray was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and a graduate degree from the University of Missouri. His career experience includes working as a senior project manager and adjunct professor at Harris Stowe State University.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 78
Marty Joe Murray defeated Jim Povolish in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 78 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Marty Joe Murray (D) | 88.4 | 9,788 | |
| Jim Povolish (R) | 11.6 | 1,280 | ||
| Total votes: 11,068 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 78
Marty Joe Murray defeated Jami Cox Antwi and Jessica Pachak in the Democratic primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 78 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Marty Joe Murray | 57.4 | 2,570 | |
| Jami Cox Antwi | 31.5 | 1,409 | ||
| Jessica Pachak | 11.1 | 497 | ||
| Total votes: 4,476 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 78
Jim Povolish advanced from the Republican primary for Missouri House of Representatives District 78 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jim Povolish | 100.0 | 169 | |
| Total votes: 169 | ||||
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Endorsements
To view Murray's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Murray in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marty Joe Murray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Murray's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In 2011 Marty acquired a bachelor of science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. After leading a team of sales associates as general manager his career in corporate America would soon commence. He has worked for companies such as the Federal Reserve Bank, BJC Healthcare, Centene, Express Scripts and World Wide Technology. As an International Project Manager he works on multi-million dollar projects that reach 100,000+ people to making their lives better. In 2015 he was the youngest ever enrolled in the University of Missouri- Columbia’s Executive MBA program.
Everything he has done politically has prepared him to be the next 78th District State Representative. His career in politics began with organizing on campus for President Obama’s first campaign. Since that point he has held political internships, worked as a consumer advocate for the Attorney General Lisa Madigan, community organizer for social issues (raising the minimum wage, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform), and worked to elect candidates across the region. In addition to informing his community about social issues he has been to the capital to testify in committee hearings on behalf of bills and written to our State Reps, Senators and other elected officials in Jefferson City.
In August 2016 Marty beat a 23 year incumbent for the 7th ward Democratic Committeeman seat. Marty currently serves as State Committeeman representing Missouri’s 5th Senatorial District.
- Our youth are the most important aspect of our future. he has shown a commitment to our children in various ways. For several years he hosted a back to school drive to make sure hundreds of students in the 78th district had the proper supplies they need to be prepared for the school year. Every school year he motivates youth to excel academically and have hired tutors to supplement knowledge gaps. When he noticed a gap in the computer science curriculum in SLPS he founded the Roy L Clay Computer Lab. He consistently pushed to get the governance back into the hands of our elected school board. As a legislator no one will fight harder to ensure our public schools are fully funded.
- There is an all out assault on Democracy. Whether that is expanding Medicaid, creating campaign finance reform or reversing Missouri’s cruel abortion ban the petition process is essential. The initiative petition has been in the Missouri Constitution for more than 100 years. Some politicians and special interest groups do not like citizens having the power to challenge their actions.The initiative petition process has given Missouri citizens the power to reform government, limit political overreach, and protect Missourians through non-partisan ballot measures. As a State Rep I will fight to protect that right. I stand tall with the community, celebrating diversity, equality, and acceptance.
- Marty has been raised to be a man of character and to hold firm to his commitments. The most important responsibility a legislator has to their constituents is to be accountable. Marty intends to engage with the district via town hall meetings, sending frequent legislative reports, ice cream socials and showing up to neighborhood meetings. He will make it easy for residents to reach the office. Additionally, listening tours will be vital for Marty leading up to the point if he is sworn in. He will use them as an opportunity for residents to submit policy suggestions. Not only will he update everyone to the weekly changes; he will make it easier for residents to support/ oppose legislation as bills work their way through committee.
The Missouri Legislature has a priority to come after St. Louis. Marty will work tirelessly to ensure St. Louis upholds the ability to govern it's self. Taking control of STLMPD, removing a women's right to choose, and trying to alter the initiative petition so that St.Louis voting power is diluted will be the battle. Gun violence is an epidemic in our country and Missouri's Wild Wild West mentality must end. We need common sense gun laws immediately. The LGBTQIA+ community is currently in the crosshairs of the MOLEG; we must stand as allies.
P.S. Illinois, The Paul Simon Story, https://www.pbs.org/video/wsiu-events-ps-illinois-paul-simon-story/
Integrity, accountability, empathy, and a commitment to serving the public good are among the most important characteristics for an elected official. Integrity ensures that they act honestly and ethically, maintaining the trust of their constituents. Accountability means being responsible for their actions, decisions, and promises, and being willing to answer to the people they represent. Empathy enables them to understand and connect with the diverse needs and perspectives of their constituents, fostering inclusive and responsive governance. Additionally, a dedication to serving the public good means prioritizing the well-being and interests of the community above personal or partisan gain, and making decisions that benefit society as a whole, both in the short and long term. Overall, these principles are essential for fostering effective and responsible leadership in elected officials.
Core responsibilities of an elected official are representation, legislation, representation. constituent services, budgeting and community engagement. Representation means understanding the interests, concerns, and values of their constituents, acting as their voice in the decision-making process. Understanding the process of creating laws is a foundation. One must participate in the drafting, debating, and passing of laws and policies that govern their jurisdiction, addressing the needs and priorities of the community. Constituent services They provide assistance and support to constituents, helping them navigate government services, addressing their concerns, and advocating for their interests.
Navigating the budgeting and appropriations process is essential. An elected has a vital play a role in crafting and approving budgets, allocating resources to meet the needs of the community and ensuring fiscal responsibility. The most important role to me is community engagement: Electeds must engage with the community through town hall meetings, forums, and other events, soliciting feedback, fostering dialogue, and keeping constituents informed about government activities.
My first official job was working fast food at Hardees. That summer in fast food was eye opening to say the least. It might be the hardest job in America.
My favorite book is the Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. It is simply the most beautiful book I have ever read. "The end is in the beginning and lies far ahead." Walking through the journey of the narrator trying to find himself was amazing. So many of us can relate. It makes you want to scream I AM A MAN! At times I want to find a hole similar to what he found. The idea of the hole he found is compelling. A place away to flourish in invisibility and discover who you are. Away from the noise, away from the darkness, away from society's constraining depiction of who we should be.
It is absolutely beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience. I was elected in 2016 and re -elected in 2020 as Committeeman in St. Louis' 7th Ward. During all those years I have been building relationships with House/Senate members that will help me on day one.
No, My focus is the 78th District.
A bill that modifies the provisions relating to interest rates on predatory consumer installment loans.
Federal: Congresswoman Cori Bush
State: Fmr. Senator Jamiliah Nasheed, Fmr Senator Maida Coleman, Fmr. 78D State Rep Rasheen Aldridge, 79D State Rep LaKeySha Bosley, 76D State Rep Marlon Anderson, Fmr 76D State Rep Chris Carter Sr.
City: Mayor Tishaura Jones, Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler, President of the Board of Alderman Megan Green, Ald. Laura Keys, Ald. Daniela Velasquez, Elected School Board Donna Jones/ Susan Jones
Budget, Education, Crime Prevention & Public Safety, Economic Development, Healthcare Reform
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Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Missouri scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Missouri House of Representatives District 78 |
Officeholder Missouri House of Representatives District 78 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 9, 2024
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
Missouri House of Representatives District 78 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
