About Mike Murphy
State Representative Mike Murphy confers with Governor Mitch Daniels.
Mike Murphy is a free market champion. He believes that if you turn loose the creativity, competitiveness, and ingenuity of all Hoosiers, great things will happen. Entrepreneurs will risk capital to bring products to market. Jobs will be created. Families will thrive. Our standard of living will rise, relative to the rest of the nation.
Mike’s German and Irish ancestors came to Indiana as grocers and railroad workers more than 150 years ago, becoming church builders, public servants, and leaders in higher education. One of six siblings, Mike paid for half of his high school tuition because he believed a church-based education was worth the personal sacrifice. He began work as a busboy at an Italian restaurant in 7th grade, and worked in mobile home factories in Elkhart during summers in high school. During a formative moment his senior year, Mike gave $100 of his own money to St. Joe County Right to Life, for a Lifetime membership. While leading the school wrestling team, Mike earned admission to Notre Dame. Mike worked the assembly line at an auto plant during college, earning his degree in American Studies as he won campus-wide boxing tournaments.
Upon graduation from Notre Dame, Mike became an award-winning television journalist, covering politics in six Midwestern states, including Indiana. He left television to become a member of then-Lt. Governor John Mutz’ executive team. Mike then applied his expertise in communications and knowledge of Indiana in order to assist Fortune 500 companies, as an executive for Melvin Simon and Associates and Wellpoint Inc.
As a young father of two sons, Mike saw the challenges our state faced in education, economic development and job creation. Wanting his sons to have access to the American Dream, he was called to public service in 1994 and elected to represent the 90th district in the Indiana General Assembly. He has won eight consecutive elections, while gaining a reputation as a relentless fighter for free markets, less regulation, and equal opportunity.
Mike has spoken nationally as the author of the most sweeping telecommunications reform law in the nation. He was honored as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Small Business Champion. He was nominated for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
In his spare time, Mike has assisted in tornado relief efforts on the south side of Indianapolis, begun an Indianapolis tradition of raising money for the homeless on St. Patrick’s Day, and has completed requirements for a master’s degree in American History (summer, 2009) at Indiana University, Indianapolis.
However, Mike is most proud of his two sons, Brendan, 24, and Kevin, 20.