Patty Murray

Patricia Lynn "Patty" Murray (née Johns; October 11, 1950) is an American politician who has been the senior United States Senator from Washington since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before, she was a member of the Washington State Senate from 1989 to 1993. Murray was the President pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2023 until 2025, being the first female to hold this role.^[1]

Patty Murray
Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Susan Collins
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Patrick Leahy
Succeeded by	Chuck Grassley
President pro tempore emerita of the United States Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Chuck Grassley
Committee positions 2011–⁠2025 Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Patrick Leahy Succeeded by Susan Collins Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 Preceded by Lamar Alexander Succeeded by Bernie Sanders Chair of the Senate Budget Committee In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by Kent Conrad Succeeded by Mike Enzi Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 Preceded by Daniel Akaka Succeeded by Bernie Sanders
Party positions 2001–⁠2023 Senate Assistant Democratic Leader In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2023 Leader Chuck Schumer Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Position abolished Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2017 Leader Harry Reid Preceded by Debbie Stabenow Succeeded by Tammy Baldwin Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 Leader Harry Reid Preceded by Bob Menendez Succeeded by Michael Bennet In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003 Leader Tom Daschle Preceded by Robert Torricelli Succeeded by Jon Corzine
United States Senator from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1993 Serving with Maria Cantwell
Preceded by	Brock Adams
Member of the Washington Senate from the 1st district
In office January 9, 1989 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Bill Kiskaddon
Succeeded by	Rosemary McAuliffe
Personal details
Born	Patricia Lynn Johns (1950-10-11) October 11, 1950 (age 75) Bothell, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Rob Murray ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	2
Education	Washington State University (BA)
Website	Senate website

Murray is currently the third-most senior senator,^[2] the most senior Senate Democrat, the longest-serving female senator ever, and the dean of Washington's congressional delegation.

Early life

Murray and raised in Bothell, Washington. She graduated from Washington State University with a degree in physical education. She worked as a pre-school teacher and, later, as a parenting teacher at Shoreline Community College.

Political career

Murray began her political career by focusing on environmental and education issues. She was elected to serve on her local school board in King County. She ran for the Washington State Senate in 1988, and beat two-term incumbent Bill Kiskaddon. She served one term before launching a campaign for the United States Senate in 1992. She has been re-elected five times.

With Patrick Leahy's retirement, Murray became the Senate President pro tempore in the 118th Congress, becoming the first female to hold the position in history.^[1] She is also the youngest senator to hold the office of president pro tempore in more than fifty years.^[1]

Personal life

Murray is married to Rob Murray and has two children: Sara and Randy. She lives on Whidbey Island.^[3]

In August 2006, The New York Times wrote that in 1994, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina tried to grope Murray. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Murray asked for, and received, an apology and she has not spoken more about the incident since.^[4][5]