Former Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy is running for Attorney General, and he’s entering the race with broad support from party leaders. Former Democratic Chair T.J. Rooney, 2010 gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato, and Congressmen Tim Holden, Jason Altmire and Chaka Fattah are endorsing his run, along with nearly a dozen state representatives and senators.

In a phone interview, Murphy said he’s running because, “The people of Pennsylvania need someone to stand up for them. …They need someone who’s going protect them against criminals on the street, from big special interests who prey against our most vulnerable, including seniors, and they need an outsider to Harrisburg who will root out corruption.”

“I spent my life fighting for people,” he said. “In the Army I prosecuted terrorists who tried to kill American soldiers. I tried criminals who broke the law, and I taught con law at West Point.” Murphy, who lost his seat to Republican Mike Fitzpatrick last year, was the first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. His House career encapsulated the country’s political swings: he won in the big Democratic cycles of 2006 and 2008, but lost during last year’s Republican surge.

Murphy praised then-Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation of corruption at the state Capitol, saying, “People in Pennsylvania are tired of folks there who are feathering their own nest. We need to make a higher priority, moving forward, of prosecuting public corruption.” When I asked the Democrat whether he would have handled the investigation differently, he repeated the “feathering their own nest” line. He declined to comment on whether he thought Corbett had spent more time investigating Democrats than Republicans, as many in Murphy’s party have claimed. If the “Bonusgate” investigation is still open after he takes office, Murphy said he would “absolutely” continue it.

Murphy is perhaps best known for authoring last year’s federal law overturning the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which barred gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces. He brushed aside a question about whether the issue will hurt in the conservative portion of the state frequently referred to as “the T.” “I learned Central Pennsylvania values when I worked at a factory – at the Reese’s factory in Hershey. And I went to school in central Pennsylvania,” said Murphy. “And I will tell you: most central Pennsylvanians and the folks across Pennsylvania agree where I do. That if you’re willing to take a bullet to keep our families safe and serve in uniform, you should be able to do-so openly.” A Washington Post/ABC News poll taken at the time of last year’s Congressional vote showed nearly 80 percent of Americans supported the repeal.

(Murphy repeated his line about “learning Central Pennsylvania values at…the Reese’s plant” several times throughout our conversation.)

The Office of the Attorney General hasn’t been kind to Democrats: Republicans have held the post ever since it became an elected position in 1980. Murphy is the first high-profile candidate to enter the race. No Republicans have announced a run, and Corbett’s pick to fill out his term, assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Kelly, has promised not to run in 2012.

Here's the press release Murphy sent out this morning:

(Philadelphia, PA) - Iraq War Veteran and former Congressman Patrick Murphy released the following statement today:

“I’ve spent my entire life protecting American families. I’m running for Attorney General because I want to continue that important work and make sure that the people of Pennsylvania have an advocate who will fight crime wherever it is – on the streets, in corporate boardrooms, or in Harrisburg,” said Patrick Murphy.

“Working families across the state are struggling. They deserve an Attorney General who will stand up for them. That means rooting out corruption and fighting against powerful special interests to protect hard-working taxpayers,” Murphy said. “As an Iraq war veteran, I prosecuted terrorists bent on killing Americans and here at home. I won’t back down from the challenges that face our Commonwealth.”

Patrick is supported by a broad range of Pennsylvanians from all walks of life and all over the state. They believe that he has the skills and experience to protect the Commonwealth and fight for working families.

“Patrick Murphy has demonstrated courage as an Army officer in war-torn Iraq and rare courage as an elected official. He has fought for his country, and he fights every day for what’s right,” said U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah. “He has demonstrated the leadership, energy and integrity to fight corruption, protect our families and keep our streets safe. Patrick Murphy is uniquely qualified to serve with distinction as Pennsylvania’s next attorney general.”

“Patrick Murphy is a working-class guy who didn’t forget where he came from. As a veteran and the son of police officer, he really understands what it takes to fight crime and protect Pennsylvania families,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Holden. “His integrity and dedication to public service is just what we need in our next Attorney General and I’m proud to support him.”

"You couldn't have a more qualified candidate. And, based on his performance as a United States Congressman, you couldn't elect a more dedicated public servant. Patrick Murphy will make an excellent Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Joseph Dougherty, Ironworkers Local 401.

"As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, I know that Patrick Murphy has the experience and leadership to be the chief law enforcement officer for the Commonwealth,” said Chris Asplen, former Assistant U.S. Attorney. “Patrick has proven as a JAG officer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney that he is smart, tough and dedicated to fighting crime. That is what it takes to protect Pennsylvania families and that is why Patrick will make a great Attorney General."

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Endorsements

Elected Officials 

Chaka Fattah, U.S. Rep.

Tim Holden, U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, U.S. Rep.

Ron Klink, Former U.S. Rep.

Kathy Dahlkemper, Former U.S. Rep.

Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Executive

Daylin Leach, State Senator

Chelsa Wagner, State Rep.

Dan Frankel, State Rep.

Josh Shapiro, State Rep.

Tony Payton, State Rep.

John Galloway, State Rep.

Mike Carroll, State. Rep.

Tina Davis, State Rep.

Steve Santarsiero, State Rep.

Tom Leighton, Wilkes-Barre Mayor

Brad Koplinski, Harrisburg City Council

J. Richard Gray, Lancaster Mayor

Mark McCracken, Clearfield County Commissioner

Connie Kough Pittenger, Huntingdon County Commissioner

Rick Vilello, Mayor of Lock Haven

Democratic Party Leaders 

TJ Rooney, Former Chair, PA Dems

John Cordisco, Chair, Bucks County

Marcel Groen, Chair, Montgomery County

Greg Stewart, Chair, Centre County

Chris Tarsa, Chair, Lebanon County

Susan Hartman, Chair, Huntingdon County

Roger Lund, Chair, Adams County and State Committee South Central Caucus Chair

Frank Rosenhoover, Chair, Blair County

Greg Specht, Acting Chair, Juniata County

Bob Kefauver, Chair, York County

Don Hilliard, Chair, Jefferson County

Rick Thomas, Chair, Union County

Jesse Bloom, Chair, Lycoming County

Larry Kriess, Chair, Butler County

Rick Daugherty, Chair, Lehigh County

Sally Lyall, Chair, Lancaster County

Labor Leaders 

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776

PA Conference of Teamsters

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

Sprinkler Fitters Local 692
Ironworkers Local 401

Plumbers Local 690

Boilermakers Local 13

Boilermakers Local 19

American Postal Workers Union Local 7048

Communications Workers of American Local 13000

Steamfitters’ Local Union 420

Patrick Murphy’s Biography 

Patrick Murphy is a husband.  A father.  The son of a police officer.  A native Pennsylvanian.  And his lifetime of experience has made him ready to be our state’s next Attorney General.

Patrick has law enforcement in his blood. He grew up in a row house in Northeast Philadelphia, where he learned the importance of public service at an early age from his father Jack Murphy, who was a Philadelphia police officer for more than 22 years after serving in the Navy.

Patrick has committed his life to protecting American families. After 9/11, he volunteered for combat to bring those who would harm Americans to justice.  And whether it was prosecuting terrorists and leading convoys in Iraq, enacting tougher consumer protection laws at home, or putting child molesters and other dangerous criminals behind bars, Patrick has been dedicated to doing what it takes to keep our families safe and our neighborhoods secure.

After serving first in Bosnia, Patrick deployed to Iraq in 2003 as a paratrooper in the Army’s elite 82^nd Airborne Division. In Baghdad, Patrick successfully prosecuted three Central Criminal Court cases, two of which convicted terrorists bent on killing Americans. Patrick was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Returning home, Patrick tried criminal cases in one of the Army’s busiest jurisdictions. He prosecuted multiple felony courts martial at both jury and bench trials.

Prior to his time in combat, Patrick was an assistant professor in the Department of Law at West Point, where he taught Constitutional and Military Law. Patrick also gained valuable experience as a prosecutor, both as a Judge Advocate and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In these roles, Patrick helped convict criminals of robbery, drug offenses and sexual assault.

Patrick’s experience as soldier and prosecutor in the Army gave him important perspective as a member of Congress. Patrick demanded better accountability from government and stronger penalties for those who take advantage of taxpayers. As a member of Congress, Patrick:

• Passed a law that helps crack down on mortgage companies and big banks that take advantage of servicemembers.
• Led the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the discriminatory policy that prevented gay men and women from serving openly in the military. Now, everyone has the same opportunity to serve our nation in uniform.
• Created the Office of Financial Protection for Older Adults, which helps prevent the financial exploitation of seniors.
• Worked to make government more efficient and less costly through the IMPROVE Act, which closes loopholes that lead to Medicare fraud
• Introduced and passed the Improper Payments and Recovery Act, which will help eliminate $98 billion in wasteful spending every year.
• Authored the Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, which provides federal scholarship money to the children of first responders killed in the line of duty. The bill was named after Daniel Faulkner, a Philadelphia cop who was murdered on the job.
• Helped constituents like Emma DeVita. After she lost her retirement savings to Bernie Madoff’s infamous ponzi scheme, Emma and her son Michael came to Patrick for help. Patrick was able to recover $500,000 for the DeVitas.

As Attorney General, Patrick will stop at nothing to make sure law enforcement officials have the tools they need to keep dangerous criminals off the streets and protect families. As a member of Congress, he did this by fighting for funding that provided local cops with state of the art equipment and more resources to prevent gang violence.

Patrick graduated from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, where he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and was commissioned as an officer. He later graduated from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, where he worked at the Civil Law Clinic providing legal aid to those in need.

Patrick is currently a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP in Philadelphia. He also teaches at Widener Law and is active in the Wills for Heroes program, which provides free legal services to police officers, fire fighters and other emergency responders who risk their lives on the job.

Patrick lives in Bristol, Pennsylvania with his wife Jenni, his daughter Maggie, his son Jack and their dog Chloe. A Pennsylvania native, Patrick’s relatives still live across the state in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Luzerne County, Lebanon County and elsewhere.