Frank J. Murray (priest)
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Rev. Frank J. Murray (born March 12, 1949[1]) is an American Catholic priest and former Democratic state representative from Maine.[2][1]
Murray was born and grew up on Maple Street in Bangor, Maine to Robert Emmett and Laura Murray.[1][3][2] Both of his grandfathers were named Frank J.[1] He has a younger brother, Robert Emmett, Jr., and an older sister, Cynthia, who married Severin Beliveau.[1] His great uncle was Edward P. Murray.[1]
Murray attended St. John's School and then John Bapst Memorial High School.[1] He is of French, English, and Irish descent.[1] His father was active in Democratic politics.[1]
Career
Maine House
Murray attended the University of Maine at Orono where he received a bachelor's degree in mathematics.[2][1][3] During his junior and senior years in 1969 and 1970, when he was 20 years old, he ran for a seat in the Maine House of Representatives[nb 1].[2][1] When elected, Murray was the youngest member of the House.[1] Murray put off graduation for a semester to go to work at the state capital, and finished his degree in between sessions of the legislature.[1]
He was then reelected for a second term in the Maine House.[2][1] In the House, Murray served on the education and reapportionment committees.[1] Murray then ran for a seat in the Maine Senate in 1974 but was defeated by 163 votes.[2][1] The following January he ran for Secretary of State, which is elected by the members of the House and Senate, but lost by a single vote.[1]
Other political activities
In 1972 he ran Elmer Violette, a close friend's, congressional campaign.[1] He served as a delegate to a number of Maine Democratic Party conventions and the 1972 Democratic National Convention.[1] Murray also served on the Maine Human Rights Commission.[1]
Post-political career
For four years he taught math at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, where he also served as a coach.[2][1]