Featured Voice of the Texas GOP: Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy represents House District 133 (West Houston) in the Texas Legislature. A brief look at Jim Murphy’s career in business and public service reveals several constant traits: service, leadership, results.

Jim carried these traits to Austin and was successful in passing legislation that helped the residents of House District 133.

Jim serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and the Small Business and Economic Development committee. He was recently appointed to represent Texas on The US Energy Council and on the NCSL Task Force on state taxation and revenue.

During his first session, Jim served as Vice Chair of the Urban Affairs committee and was also a member of the Transportation, and the Rules and Resolutions Committees. He was elected Freshman Class President and authored and passed 15 bills; the most by any first time member.

Jim’s legislative work has been recognized by the National Coalition for Capital, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, Texas Right to Life, and Texas Association of Business. The Houston Executive Council named Jim Murphy its Elected Official of the Year for 2007. Empower Texas named Murphy one of its 2011 Taxpayer Advocates for his outstanding work on fiscal matters.

Jim was twice elected and served from 1997 to 2006 on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. Today, HCC has over 75,000 students and is a key player in regional workforce training.

For the past 20 years, Murphy served as one of the principal driving forces behind the Westchase District – the 4.2 square mile municipal management district in west Houston. Its success has had tremendous positive impact in the community with over $2 billion in new investment and thousands of new jobs. Currently he is working as a consultant to the district.

Murphy’s business leadership includes service as a board member of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, West Houston Medical Center and as Past Chairman of the Association of Commercial Real Estate Professionals. Jim is an active member of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Association of Realtors, and the Urban Land Institute. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Making It Better, and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

Murphy’s community service includes work with the Jaycees -- where he served as local President and as State President. He was named one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans in 1995. Jim has coached youth sports and served on the pastoral council of St. Cyril’s Catholic Church. He was also a founder and Vice Chair of the Alief Education Foundation and was appointed to the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute’s Advisory Council by the UT Regents.

Jim Murphy grew up in Houston and graduated from Strake Jesuit and UT Austin. He and his wife, Dr. Kathleen Murphy, have two teenage sons, Robert and Pace.