L. Dean Murray Explained

Dean Murray
State Senate:New York State
District:3rd
Term Start:January 1, 2023
Predecessor:Phil Boyle (redistricting)
Office1:Member of the New York Assembly
from the 3rd district
Term Start1:January 1, 2015
Term End1:December 31, 2018
Predecessor1:Edward J. Hennessey
Successor1:Joe DeStefano
Term Start2:February 9, 2010
Term End2:January 1, 2013
Predecessor2:Patricia Eddington
Successor2:Edward J. Hennessey
Birth Name:Leonard Dean Murray[1]
Birth Date:July 22, 1964
Birth Place:Washington, D.C.
Party:Republican Party
Alma Mater:Broadcasting Institute of Maryland

L. Dean Murray (born July 22, 1964) is an American politician and former Republican member of the New York State Assembly, representing the assembly's third district from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2019. The district includes portions of the town of Brookhaven, including Bellport and Mastic Beach in Suffolk County on Long Island. Dean Murray was recently elected to serve in the New York State Senate after the 2022 elections. Murray had described himself as being the first Tea Party activist to be elected to office.[2]

Life and early career

Murray is a Maryland native who graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. He started his career by spending ten years in the radio and television news industry, during which he covered the Pennsylvania State Capitol and served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Associated Press. He was later a regional sales manager and advertising sales representative for TCI Cable. Murray has been the owner of Suffolk County-based D & S Advertising Inc. since 1997.

Murray resides in East Patchogue, New York; he previously lived in Coram, New York for 15 years. He is divorced and has one son, Anthony.

Political career

In 2009, Murray ran for Suffolk County Legislature in Suffolk County's 7th Legislative District. He was defeated by incumbent Jack Eddington.[3]

On February 9, 2010, Murray won a special election, winning the New York State Assembly seat previously held by Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington. Murray defeated Lauren Thoden by 160 votes.[4] Murray was re-elected in the 2010 general election.[5] After serving one full term, he was defeated by Edward J. Hennessey, a Democrat, by 226 votes in the General Election on November 6, 2012.[6] [7]

In a re-match in 2014, it was revealed during the campaign that Dean Murray's campaign committee[8] surreptitiously planted a GPS device[9] on New York State Assemblyman Edward Hennessey's car and secretly tracked him for two months. A witness also testified that he personally performed surveillance on Hennessey's home and family, tracking cars and their movements[10] in an effort to continuously ascertain Hennessey's whereabouts. Dean Murray used this information to file a petition to disprove Assemblyman Hennessey's residency and knock him off the ballot. The petition was dismissed by State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Pitt[11] In a tight race, Murray defeated Hennessey by 526 votes.[12] Murray was re-elected in 2016.[13]

In 2018, Murray opted not to run for re–election. Instead, he ran for state senate, and was defeated by Monica Martinez.[14] [15]

Election history
LocationYearElectionResults
Suffolk County
District 7
2009GeneralJack Eddington (I) 51.74%
Dean Murray (R) 48.26%
New York Assembly
District 3
2010Special√ L. Dean Murray (R) 50.93%
Laura Thoden (D) 49.07%
New York Assembly
District 3
2010General√ L. Dean Murray (R) 53.25%
Robert Calarco (D) 46.72%
New York Assembly
District 3
2012General √ Edward Hennessey (D) 50.32%
L. Dean Murray (R) 49.68%
New York Assembly
District 3
2016General√ L. Dean Murray (R)
Gregory D. Schoen (D)
New York Senate
District 3
2018General√ Monica R. Martinez
L. Dean Murray (R)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leonard Dean Murray . opengovny.com . February 1, 2021.
  2. Web site: Meet the First Tea Party Activist to Be Elected Into Office . February 19, 2010 . . August 17, 2016.
  3. Web site: Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 . Suffolk County Board of Elections . November 3, 2009.
  4. News: Murray Wins Suffolk Assembly Election. February 17, 2010. Long Island Press (AP). November 16, 2014.
  5. Web site: Statement of Canvas: 3rd Assembly District . New York State Board of Elections . February 9, 2010 . March 4, 2011.
  6. News: Hennessey unseats Assemb. Murray in 3rd District. Brand. Rick. Newsday. November 16, 2014.
  7. Web site: General Election Results, State Assembly: November 6, 2012 . . April 9, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130725091442/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2012/General/AD_04-09-2013.pdf . July 25, 2013 .
  8. News: Weaver. Teri. Barclay: Bugging NY Democratic lawmaker's car was 'opposition research,' no reason to apologize. September 19, 2014. syracuse.com. September 8, 2014.
  9. News: Editorials. Stop slimy spying: Secret GPS tracking, banned for law enforcement, should be off-limits for civilians too. September 19, 2014. Daily News. September 13, 2014.
  10. News: Brand. Rick. GOP uses tracking device to probe Assemb. Edward Hennessey's 3rd District residency. September 19, 2014. Newsday. September 6, 2014.
  11. Web site: Sepreme Court Testimony August 1, 2014 Murray v. Hennessey. September 19, 2014.
  12. News: Dean Murray declared winner in 3rd Assembly District. Schwartz. David M.. November 13, 2014. Newsday. November 16, 2014.
  13. Web site: NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016 . New York State Board of Elections.
  14. Web site: Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 03 Race - Nov 06, 2018. www.ourcampaigns.com. February 6, 2019.
  15. Web site: Certified Results from the November 6, 2018 General Election for NYS Senate . New York State Board of Elections.