If Legislative Maps are Upheld, Rep. Mike Murphy Won't Seek Re-election
Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) speaks at a news conference at the Capitol earlier this year flanked by Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville). Murphy says if a federal court upholds new legislative maps, he’ll retire from the legislature instead of facing Bourne in a primary. Democrats drew Murphy and Bourne in the same district.
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After new legislative maps were finalized last week, Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) confirmed to The Illinoize Tuesday night he will not seek re-election in 2022 if maps are upheld by the courts.
Murphy, a former restaurant owner and longtime staple in Springfield’s business community, was drawn into the same district as Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville). Murphy will cede the position to the up-and-coming lawmaker nearly 40 years his junior.
It’s more than just age or seniority (Bourne entered the legislature in 2015, Murphy in 2019), it’s a long family friendship and bond that Murphy says he could never start a fight over.
Bourne grew up in Divernon in southern Sangamon County, the same town of about 1,000 where Murphy lived for many years. The Murphy and Bourne families are close friends.
Murphy, 67, heaped praise on Bourne, who is still just 29 with six years of experience navigating the Capitol.
“She just bring so much to our caucus that’s so valuable. She brings stuff to the General Assembly that’s valuable,” Murphy said. “She’s a bright, young, articulate woman who’s a mother. I think those are important things to have represented in our caucus. She’s got a bright political future and I don’t want to be in the way of that in any way, shape, or form.”
Bourne calls Murphy a “great Representative” and isn’t giving up hope that both will be on the ballot next year.
“It’s unfortunate the Democrats have weaponized political gerrymandering to punish the minority party and those we represent,” she texted me last night. “It is my hope that these unfair maps will be found unconstitutional and both he and I will have the chance to go before voters asking for the opportunity to represent them for another term.”
Murphy quipped if courts choose not to throw out the current map, which has been criticized by numerous minority groups, that there will never be a map thrown out in Illinois. He said he would reconsider his decision if courts invalidate the current map.
Murphy confirmed he will not move into the 48th District to challenge appointed Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). He says his home in south Springfield is literally across the street from three grandkids and being close to his family is most important.
“If I did that, I’d be running as a divorcee,” Murphy said with a laugh.
He did leave the door open to a run for Springfield Mayor in 2023. It isn’t yet known whether Democratic Mayor Jim Langfelder will seek another term, but Murphy believes he could be effective as Mayor.
“I do know that I’m not done, and I’m going to do something to help the people of Sangamon County and Springfield,” he said.