Representative Scott Murphy

Matthew Scott Murphy, born on January 26, 1970, is an American entrepreneur and politician who served as a Democratic Representative from New York in the United States House of Representatives from April 29, 2009, to January 3, 2011. He represented New York’s 20th congressional district, encompassing parts of the state’s Capital District but excluding the city of Albany, and was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally moderate Democrats. His brief tenure in Congress coincided with the early years of the Obama administration, a period marked by intense legislative activity on economic recovery, health care, and national security in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Murphy was born in Missouri and grew up in the Midwest before moving east for college. He attended Harvard University, where he graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. At Harvard, he was active in campus life and developed a strong interest in public policy and entrepreneurship, interests that would later shape both his business career and his approach to public service. His undergraduate studies in social studies exposed him to economics, political science, and history, providing a foundation for his later work at the intersection of business and government.

After graduating from Harvard, Murphy entered the private sector and began a career in technology and venture capital. He worked with early-stage companies, gaining experience in financing, management, and strategic development. Over time, he became involved with several start-ups and investment ventures, focusing on innovation, job creation, and small business growth. Murphy eventually settled in New York’s Capital Region, where he continued his work as an entrepreneur and investor. His efforts to support small and growing companies helped establish his reputation as a pro-business Democrat and informed his later emphasis on economic development, technological advancement, and fiscal responsibility in public office.

Murphy’s political career took shape in early 2009, when a vacancy arose in New York’s 20th congressional district. On January 22, 2009, the district’s incumbent, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, was appointed by Governor David Paterson to the United States Senate to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who had become United States Secretary of State in the Obama administration. To fill Gillibrand’s House seat, local Democratic leaders convened to select a nominee for a special election. On February 1, 2009, Murphy was chosen by a unanimous vote of ten Democratic county chairs to be the party’s nominee in the special election to represent the district in Congress, reflecting confidence in his business background and appeal in a politically competitive region.

The special election was held on March 31, 2009, and quickly drew national attention as an early test of political strength in the new administration. Murphy ran against Republican nominee Jim Tedisco of Schenectady, who at that time was the Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly. The contest became one of the most closely watched races in the country. Murphy’s campaign was bolstered by high-profile endorsements, including those of President Barack Obama and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The initial vote count showed Murphy leading by approximately 60 votes out of more than 150,000 cast. After re-tallies and the counting of absentee ballots, his lead widened, and by April 24, 2009, he was ahead by 399 votes. Tedisco conceded the election, and Murphy was sworn into the House of Representatives on April 29, 2009, to serve the remainder of the 111th Congress.

During his time in Congress, Murphy received committee assignments that reflected both the rural and small-town character of much of his district and his interest in national security. He served on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Armed Services. Within the Committee on Agriculture, he was a member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research; the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture; and the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where he worked on issues affecting farmers, agribusiness, and rural communities in upstate New York and across the country. On the Committee on Armed Services, he served on the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, participating in oversight and legislative efforts related to emerging security challenges, military readiness, and strategic defense policy.

As a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, Murphy aligned himself with a bloc of Democrats who emphasized budget discipline, deficit reduction, and pragmatic approaches to economic policy. Representing a swing district during a period of intense partisan debate, he sought to balance support for national Democratic priorities—such as economic stimulus measures and financial regulatory reform—with close attention to the concerns of his upstate New York constituents. His legislative focus included job creation, infrastructure investment, agricultural support, and veterans’ issues, as well as policies intended to foster small business development and responsible fiscal management. Despite his efforts and the visibility of his work in Congress, Murphy faced a challenging political environment in the 2010 midterm elections, a year in which Republicans made significant gains nationwide. On November 2, 2010, he was defeated in his bid for election to a full term, and his service in the House concluded at the end of the 111th Congress on January 3, 2011.

After leaving Congress, Murphy returned to the private sector and resumed his career as an entrepreneur and investor. Drawing on his experience in both business and government, he continued to engage in ventures that supported innovation and economic growth, particularly in New York’s Capital Region and surrounding areas. His background in venture capital and his time in public office reinforced his interest in policies that encourage small business formation, technological progress, and sound fiscal practices. As of October 2023, Scott Murphy remains a notable figure in New York politics and public life, recognized for his service during a challenging period in American governance and for his ongoing engagement with issues at the intersection of business, technology, and public policy.