Politics has always been in the back of Rep. Mark Murdock’s mind. The Ottertail Republican has been wrapped in elections since childhood, when his mother, a DFL activist, campaigned for Democrats like former President Harry Truman.
“She still likes me even though I’m a Republican,” Murdock said.
In fact, when Murdock was asked last year to run for the seat vacated by former Rep. Dean Simpson (R-Perham), his mother even donated to his campaign. Murdock said he hopes his fellow lawmakers will cross party lines in a similar way to deal with the state’s budget deficit.
“We’re all going to have to work together. There’s going to be a lot of pain out there. There’s going to be a lot of cuts,” he said. “We just have to suck it up, watch our expenses and get through this thing.”
Murdock, a hardware store owner for 25 years, said he comes to the Capitol with no political agenda other than “honesty and common sense and an open mind.” He is guided by the philosophy that there is a difference between a real “representative” and a mere “politician:” a willingness to do what’s right for his constituents, regardless of politics.
“Politician, I think, sometimes might be a job, a career. … Representative, I think, is the proper term. It’s what I want to be,” Murdock said.
According to Murdock, the number one issue for his constituents is jobs and the economy. As a business owner, he has been forced to reduce his employees’ hours. He supports Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposal to reduce taxes on businesses, arguing it will stimulate job growth — although he notes it would do more for larger employers than it will for small employers like him.
“Well, you can’t fix a budget by raising taxes. Raising taxes creates job loss,” Murdock said.
Murdock, an avid outdoorsman, lives on Round Lake near Perham with his wife of 34 years, Pat. They have two adult sons and are expecting their first grandchild in August.
Interim Update: Disaster relief enacted
Brief special session ends with $80 million flood, storm aid package
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Never a dull moment
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RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
Some die quietly, others go out with a bang
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Art of compromise is the heart of politics
Bipartisan teamwork builds better bills
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Reformer at heart
Brod walking away from the Legislature, but will keep putting out new ideas
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One more goal in his playbook
Emmer leaving House in hopes of scoring the state’s top job
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Retiring from public service — again
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Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
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Excited for a new opportunity
Kohls leaves the House with fond memories, optimism about future
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Published 6/1/2010
Agriculture advocate bids adieu
Otremba stepping down after 13 years to focus on family, friends
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Minnesota Index: the 2010 session
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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Published 6/1/2010
‘A decade is a long time’
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Published 5/6/2010
Magnus will run for state Senate
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Published 5/6/2010
First Hmong House member shifts focus
Thao’s family and business to get more of his time
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Published 5/6/2010
Erring on the side of openness
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Published 4/29/2010
Demmer winds down fourth, final term
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Published 4/29/2010
Time for a change
Bigham takes a break from the House, but not from public service
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Published 4/22/2010
Leaving before his self-imposed limit
Severson looks to continue work on election reform as secretary of state
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Published 4/22/2010
Bumper pride
Specialty license plates generate pride, funds and headaches
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Published 4/15/2010
Seifert concludes 14-year House career
He’s strived to serve “conscience, constitution and constituents”
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Published 4/15/2010
Energized to follow a different path
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Published 4/15/2010
Ensuring good management
Twelve legislators decide which programs legislative auditor will evaluate
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Published 4/8/2010
Legislative powers
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Published 4/8/2010
Unallotment upheaval
Potential modifications to governor’s power gets House committee approval
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Published 2/18/2010
Hard times hit home
As one lawmaker joins the ranks of the unemployed, House leaders push jobs proposals
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Published 2/11/2010
State of the State: Laying out his recovery plan
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Published 2/11/2010
Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
House reconvenes and hits the ground running
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Published 2/4/2010
Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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Published 2/4/2010
First Reading: No easy fixes
The 2009 session ends with many questions left unanswered
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: State government funding signed
New law strengthens accountability of stimulus funds received by the state
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Published 5/29/2009
Governor's Desk
Bills not acted upon in 2009 could come to life in 2010
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Published 5/29/2009
Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
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Published 5/29/2009
First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
Conference committee removes some controversy from finance bill
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Published 5/15/2009
Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
Figures and statistics on state and local government
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Published 5/15/2009
First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
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Published 5/8/2009
Resources: From beginning to end
Tracking bills is just a mouse click away
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
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Published 4/24/2009
First Reading: Protecting public dollars
Lawmakers push for better financial controls at state agencies
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Published 4/17/2009
At Issue: Making technology accessible
Lawmakers want to open state Web sites to individuals who are deaf, blind or hard-of-hearing
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Published 4/3/2009
First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
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Published 2/27/2009
Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
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Published 2/27/2009
New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
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Published 2/20/2009
New Member: A passion for local issues
Reinert plans to be ‘an advocate and a partner’ for Duluth
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Published 2/20/2009
Feature: Is there a page in the House?
They ‘do what needs to be done’
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Former teacher returns
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New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
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New Member: Keeping it local
Anderson wants to help constituents from a different chair
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Facing complex problems
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New Member: Planning for the future
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New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
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New Member: Altitude adjustment
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New Member: A young, rural voice
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New Member: A political education
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New Member: The deficit is top priority
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New Member: A global view in St. Paul
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New Member: Honored to serve
Sanders focuses on kitchen-table issues
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Waiting years for his seat
Sterner looks to prove his bipartisan background
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At Issue: Leading by example
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New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
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New Member: A heritage of involvement
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New Member: Passionate about business
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: No shortcut to service
Newton relishes opportunity to make tough decisions
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Working to unite
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New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
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New Member: Making a difference
Tired of complaining, Rosenthal decided to get involved
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New Member: Taking the chance
With open seat, Scott knew now is her time to serve
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Published 1/23/2009
At Issue: The state of our state
Tax cuts, wage freezes on governor’s list to help budget
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Published 1/16/2009
Feature: Opening day
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Published 1/9/2009
At Issue: Beyond the budget
Assistant leaders optimistic about accomplishing more than solving the money woes
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Published 1/9/2009
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
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Published 1/9/2009