Patty Murray never planned to enter politics, but today she's serving her third term in the U.S. Senate where she is a proven leader on issues like homeland security, transportation, education and veterans' care.
Beginning the fight for education funding
In the early 1980s, when the preschool program at which she taught was threatened by budget cuts, Murray took action. Although a state legislator told her she couldn't make a difference because she was "just a mom in tennis shoes," Murray organized 13,000 parents and saved the preschool program. Murray went on to serve on both the local school board and then in the Washington state Senate.
Murray used the same skills and tenacity that had helped save the preschool program when she ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992. Dramatically outspent, Murray mobilized a grassroots coalition of family, friends and supporters to beat a 10-year veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives. Murray was re-elected in 1998 and is Washington state's senior Senator.
Since her early days in the Senate, Murray has been known as a leader on education. Her legislation has helped to hire 100,000 new teachers and lower class size for children across the country. She has also written and passed legislation to put computers in classrooms, improve teacher training and preserve and expand Head Start.
Working for transportation improvements and economic development
Senator Murray serves as the senior Democrat (and former Chair) of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee where she writes the nation's transportation budget. Murray has successfully secured funding for Washington state's transit priorities. These funds are providing good paying construction jobs today and paving the way for Washington state's future growth.
Senator Murray is also working to increase economic prosperity and stimulate job growth by supporting trade opportunities for local businesses and ensuring open and free access to foreign markets.
Fighting for veterans' benefits
Senator Murray is the daughter of a World War II veteran and is proud to be the first woman to serve on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee where she has worked to increase funding and support for Washington state's 700,000 veterans. Today, she is the ranking Democrat on this committee. Murray cosponsored legislation to make funding for veterans care mandatory and she successfully fought to save three Washington state veterans hospitals - Walla Walla, Vancouver and American Lake - from proposed closure by the Bush Administration.
Making Homeland Security a priority
Long before the tragic events of September 11th, Senator Murray was working to increase our homeland security. She was a leading advocate to increase staffing at the Northern Border for the Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Following the terrorist attacks, Murray has lead the fight to improve security at our nation's ports. Murray wrote and helped fund an initiative called Operation Safe Commerce. This program allows our nation's three largest port centers -- including Seattle and Tacoma -- to monitor and track cargo through their entry into the U.S. and onto their final destination.
Standing up for women's rights
Murray has fought attempts to roll back a woman's right to choose and to deny women access to safe and legal reproductive health services. She has worked to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies by expanding access to safe and affordable family planning alternatives.
Murray has been a champion for women and families. She has led efforts to close the pay gap, protect women in retirement and increase access to child care. Murray helped write and pass the historic Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and was a key proponent of its reauthorization in 2002.
Born in Bothell, Murray is one of seven children. Murray was educated in the public schools of Bothell and she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University. She is married to Rob Murray and they have two grown children - Sara and Randy. Randy and his wife, Erin, have a son, Aidan, the Murray's first grandchild.
