Edwin R. Murray
Encyclopedia
Edwin Rene Murray, known as Ed Murray (born August 6, 1960) is an African American
lawyer
and Democratic
politician
from New Orleans
, Louisiana
. Since 2005, he has been a member of the Louisiana State Senate
from District 4.
A native and life-long New Orleans resident, Murray graduated from John F. Kennedy High School
and then studied at Loyola University
, where he earned in 1982 a Bachelor of Arts
in political science
and in 1985 a Juris Doctor
degree. From 1992 to 2004, Murray held the District 96 seat from Orleans Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives
.
Murray is a fellow of the Loyola University Institute of Politics. A partner in the general practice law firm of Murray, Darnell & Associates, Murray is a member of the African-American National Bar Association
, the American Association for Justice, and the National Black Council of State Legislators. He is Baptist
.
Late in 2009, Murray announced his candidacy for the 2010 election for Mayor of New Orleans
, but he withdrew in early January 2010. Incumbent
Ray Nagin
is ineligible to serve a third consecutive term, and Lieutenant Governor
Mitch Landrieu
is making his third bid for the position once held by his father, Moon Landrieu
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Since 2005, he has been a member of the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Senate
The Louisiana State Senate is the upper house of the state legislature of Louisiana. All Senators serve four year terms and are assigned multiple committees to work on. The Republicans control the State Senate following a Special Election Victory in District 26 by Jonathan W. Perry...
from District 4.
A native and life-long New Orleans resident, Murray graduated from John F. Kennedy High School
John F. Kennedy High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)
John F. Kennedy High School was a high school located in the Lakeshore area of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States. The school closed down subsequent to Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005...
and then studied at Loyola University
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
, where he earned in 1982 a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and in 1985 a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree. From 1992 to 2004, Murray held the District 96 seat from Orleans Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
.
Murray is a fellow of the Loyola University Institute of Politics. A partner in the general practice law firm of Murray, Darnell & Associates, Murray is a member of the African-American National Bar Association
National Bar Association
The National Bar Association was established in 1925 as the "Negro Bar Association" after Gertrude Rush, George H. Woodson, S. Joe Brown, James B. Morris, and Charles P. Howard, Sr. were denied membership in the American Bar Association. It represents the interests of African-American attorneys in...
, the American Association for Justice, and the National Black Council of State Legislators. He is Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
.
Late in 2009, Murray announced his candidacy for the 2010 election for Mayor of New Orleans
New Orleans mayoral election, 2010
The New Orleans mayoral election of 2010 is an election for Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana. The first round of voting took place on December 9 through December 11, 2009, and the election occurred on February 6, 2010...
, but he withdrew in early January 2010. Incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Ray Nagin
Ray Nagin
Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr. is a former mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Nagin gained international note in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the New Orleans area....
is ineligible to serve a third consecutive term, and Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
The Office of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana is the second highest state office in Louisiana. The current Lieutenant Governor is Jay Dardenne, a Republican...
Mitch Landrieu
Mitch Landrieu
Mitchell Joseph "Mitch" Landrieu is the Mayor of New Orleans, former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, and a member of the Landrieu family. Landrieu is a member of the Democratic Party and a Roman Catholic. He is the son of former New Orleans mayor and Secretary of the United States Department of...
is making his third bid for the position once held by his father, Moon Landrieu
Moon Landrieu
Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu is a Democratic politician from Louisiana who served as Mayor of New Orleans from 1970–1978. He also is a former judge...
.