LEXINGTON, Minn.—The new Lexington mayor, in office only since January declared himself a candidate for governor. Mike Murphy said he will seek the Republican nomination to oppose Democrat incumbent Tim Walz, who is expected to seek a second term. Murphy is the first announced candidate. His political background is one term on the Lexington City Council and a few weeks as mayor. He is 36. Lexington, population 4,950, is a north Twin Cities suburb just off Interstate 35 West.
Murphy. He says he’s frustrated by the partisan direction of Minnesota politics. Lawmakers need to work together, he said. “I’m not necessarily mad at Governor Walz and about what he’s doing,” he said. “I’m just mad at the whole entire political system in Minnesota right now.” He listed his priorities as lowering income taxes, reducing government spending, legalizing sports betting, and improving pay for teachers.
Candidate profile
Murphy grew up in Coon Rapids, 10 miles from Lexington. He graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 2003. He went to college for a career as a police officer. After a back injury, he switched gears. In 2005, he and his father opened a UPS Store franchise in 2005.