Texas legislator
Andrew Stevenson Murr (born April 23, 1977)[1] is an American attorney, rancher and politician serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 53rd district. Elected in 2014, he assumed office in 2015. His maternal grandfather was Coke Stevenson, the 35th Governor of Texas.[2] Murr announced in November 2023 that he was not going to run for re-election after being censured by two local county Republican parties for his support of the impeachment of Ken Paxton.[3]
Early life and education
Murr was raised on a farm in Kimble County, Texas and attended schools in the Junction Independent School District. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the Texas Tech University School of Law.[4]
Career
Murr became a Kimble County Judge in 2008, serving until 2013. He was appointed to the Concho Valley Regional Review Board by then-Governor Rick Perry in 2011. Murr was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2014 and assumed office in 2015. In the 2019–2020 legislative session, Murr served as the vice chair of the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee. In the 2020–2021 session, he was the chair of the House Corrections Committee.[5]
In the 2022–2023 session, Murr was chair of the House Committee on General Investigating, which directed two high-profile investigations that session:
- an investigation against state representative Bryan Slaton, for providing alcohol to and having sexual relations with a 19-year old legislative aide and then attempting to cover up the incident[6] (though Slaton resigned, he was unanimously expelled from the House on May 9, 2023), and
- an investigation against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was impeached by the House on May 27, 2023, on twenty articles involving securities fraud, abuse of office, and retaliation against whistleblowers.[7] Murr was named one of twelve House members, and the chair, who will serve as managers during Paxton's impeachment trial in the Texas Senate,[8] which began on September 5, 2023. Paxton was acquitted of all charges on September 16, 2023.
References
- ^ "Rep. Andrew Murr - Texas State Directory Online". www.txdirectory.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Murr - Legislative Reference Library of Texas". texas.gov. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Despart, Zack. Republican Rep. Andrew Murr, who led impeachment of Ken Paxton, won’t seek reelection, Texas Tribune, November 21, 2023.
- ^ Representatives, Texas House of. "Texas House of Representatives Andrew Murr". www.house.texas.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Murr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Downen, Robert (May 9, 2023). "Texas House expels Bryan Slaton, first member ousted since 1927". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Staff, Texas Tribune (May 27, 2023). "Live updates: Now impeached, Ken Paxton blasts House vote". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Downey, Patrick Svitek and Renzo (May 29, 2023). "Texas House names Ken Paxton impeachment managers; Senate trial will start by Aug. 28". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
External links
- Campaign website
- State legislative page
