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Lee Murphy (Delaware)
Lee Murphy (Republican Party) (also known as Murph) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Delaware's At-Large Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on September 15, 2026.[source]
Murphy was a 2016 Republican candidate for District 6 of the Delaware House of Representatives. Murphy did not appear on the general election candidate list.[1]
Murphy was a 2014 Republican candidate for District 6 of the Delaware House of Representatives. He initially filed to run but was removed from the ballot before the primary.
Biography
Lee Murphy studied at Rowan University and the Columbia Graduate School of Business. His career experience includes working for Amtrak. Murphy has also worked as a teacher, coach, and professional actor.[2]
Elections
2026
See also: United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on September 15, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Incumbent Sarah McBride is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 15, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Sarah McBride | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Donyale Hall and Lee Murphy are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 15, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Donyale Hall | |
 | Lee Murphy | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) | 55.5 | 178,416 |
| Lee Murphy (R) | 43.0 | 138,201 | |
 | Cody McNutt (L) | 1.0 | 3,074 | |
 | David Rogers (Nonpartisan Party) | 0.6 | 1,958 | |
 | Scott Walker (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 15 | |
 | Edward Shlikas (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 3 | |
| Total votes: 321,667 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Lee Murphy advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christopher Hill (R)
2020
See also: United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2020
United States House election in Delaware, 2020 (September 15 Democratic primary)
United States House election in Delaware, 2020 (September 15 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester defeated Lee Murphy, Catherine Purcell, and David Rogers in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) | 57.6 | 281,382 |
| Lee Murphy (R) | 40.2 | 196,392 | |
 | Catherine Purcell (Independent) | 1.4 | 6,682 | |
| David Rogers (L) | 0.8 | 3,814 | |
| Total votes: 488,270 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Anne Kerner (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Lee Murphy defeated Matthew Morris in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 15, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lee Murphy | 73.8 | 39,179 |
 | Matthew Morris | 26.2 | 13,901 | |
| Total votes: 53,080 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester defeated Scott Walker in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) | 64.5 | 227,353 |
| Scott Walker (R) | 35.5 | 125,384 | |
| Total votes: 352,737 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christopher Mockerman (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 6, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Blunt Rochester |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Scott Walker defeated Lee Murphy in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Scott Walker | 53.0 | 19,573 |
| Lee Murphy | 47.0 | 17,359 | |
| Total votes: 36,932 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Delaware House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2016.
Incumbent Debra Heffernan ran unopposed in the Delaware House of Representatives District 6 general election.[3][4]
| Delaware House of Representatives, District 6 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Debra Heffernan Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 9,545 | |
| Total Votes | 9,545 | |||
| Source: Delaware Department of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Debra Heffernan ran unopposed in the Delaware House of Representatives District 6 Democratic primary.[5][6][3]
| Delaware House of Representatives, District 6 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Debra Heffernan Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Lee Murphy ran unopposed in the Delaware House of Representatives District 6 Republican primary.[5][6][3]
| Delaware House of Representatives, District 6 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Lee Murphy (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Delaware House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 8, 2014. Incumbent Debra Heffernan was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Kyle K. Buzzard was unopposed in the Republican primary. Heffernan defeated Buzzard in the general election. Lee Murphy (R) was removed from the ballot before the primary.[7][8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Debra Heffernan Incumbent |
63.4% | 4,620 | |
| Republican | Kyle K. Buzzard | 36.6% | 2,662 | |
| Total Votes | 7,282 | |||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Lee Murphy did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Murphy's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Fighting Inflation The Biden Administration ignored signs of inflation growth because they knew it was bad politics. The Fed was asleep at the wheel and acted too slowly and too late. Now we are experiencing inflation not seen in two generations. And the Democrats' response is to spend even more when spending is helping drive inflation. We need to make smart, responsible spending decisions that will cut regulations, encourage economic growth, and be responsive to hard-working Delaware families.
I am proud to support the men and women of law enforcement in this country. Law and order is essential for maintaining a civil society where all families can safely go about their lives. We need to make sure that that our law enforcement has the best training and tools available to protect our families and businesses. A recent Gallup Center poll showed that while both black (81%) and white (80%) Americans want police to maintain their presence in their neighborhoods, the same poll showed that only 61% of black Americans are confident that an encounter with police will go well compared to 85% of all groups nationally. We must gather hard data on complaints against police to better understand and alleviate any distrust of the police and to better ensure everyone’s safety.
The Afghanistan withdrawal was an historic embarrassment. Pause and imagine a situation where our allies felt that hanging on the outside of airplanes was a better option than staying behind to face the extremist Taliban regime. It was a botched effort that cost the lives of United States Marines. From the Ukraine to China to North Korea, those opposed to freedom are emboldened by the Biden Administration. The United States must commit to a strong national defense to ensure that our interests at home and abroad are protected.
Military Veterans served on the front lines protecting our Republic. We owe them our gratitude and our support across a wide array of issues from basic and on-going healthcare to mental health support for PTSD and suicide prevention. The VA is broken and must be revamped to work more quickly for veterans and to provide the highest quality of care. I support providing more funding for the POW/MIA Accounting Agency to help with their personnel recovery mission on behalf of military families.
Agriculture in Delaware is both an economic driver and a strategic benefit for our residents. Farmers employ more Delawareans than any other industry. The also face pressures of inflation, high gas prices, and economic sluggishness as much or more than any other employers. Farmers need regulatory reform, supply chain solutions, lower taxes and other tools to survive and thrive. I'll fight for farm owners, agricultural suppliers, and farm workers against Washington red tape and economic roadblocks.
The opioid/drug crisis continues to devastate Delaware families. Elected officials who continue to acknowledge the problem, but fail to offer solutions, are just using sound bites to get reelected. As a parent who struggled for over twenty years to help my daughter overcome addiction, I know the personal impact and the immense cost of addiction to families in every neighborhood and at all economic levels. We can do better. I will introduce a comprehensive plan that takes into account readily-available treatment, mental health, and addiction prevention. We are long overdue for a long term treatment facility here in Delaware.
Congress has shirked their responsibility to find a permanent solution to our nation’s Border Crisis. I will support Customs and Border Patrol and ICE in their efforts to protect our sovereignty. I will support legislation that addresses the visa, permanent resident, and citizenship issues of those who wish to pledge allegiance to our nation legally. We must stop politicizing this national crisis.
I am pro-life and support the recent Roe v. Wade decision to return the issue to the states. My opponent advocates for abortion, including late-term abortion and abortion at birth, and voted against funding life-saving measures for babies born of botched abortions. I strongly disagree. Instead of funding abortion, we should provide the resources necessary to choose life.
Putting the focus on physical and mental wellness, and access to affordable insurance, benefits everyone
As a former school teacher and coach, and father and grandfather, I understand the importance of a quality education for all. The COVID-19 Pandemic wreaked havoc on our K-12 schools, and we're still recovering. We've seen the importance of an in-person education, but also the value of making use of new technology to help students learn. We should be encouraging schools to share resources in this new virtual world. Furthermore, the value and important of school choice -- parents making the best choices for their children -- has been made all the more clear, and such efforts should be encouraged and made easier.[10] |
” |
| —Lee Murphy's campaign website (2022)[11] | ||
2020
Lee Murphy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Murphy's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Lee graduated from Rowan University (NJ) with a B.A. in Education and later attended Columbia University's (NYC) Graduate School of Business, majoring in Sports Management.
Mr. Murphy is a former teacher and coach. He left teaching to pursue a career with the railroad industry to support a growing family. He recently completed a 35-year career with Amtrak. As a locomotive engineer, he ran high-speed passenger trains between New York City and Washington, D.C.
Since retiring, Lee has pursued a successful acting career, appearing as Secretary of Defense in the hit show House of Cards. He is currently in three nationally broadcast TV commercials.
Mr. Murphy is a strong supporter of President Trump. He supports a growing economy, a strong defense, the Second Amendment, and is a pro-life advocate.
- Bring manufacturing jobs, the engine of the economy, back to Delaware. Why not manufacture medicines and medical equipment here in Delaware instead of in China?
- Border and National Security - without safe borders, deadly drugs, terrorists, and disease can enter our country at will. The first responsibility of the federal government is to protect and defend the country.
- The Drug/Opioid Crisis is an issue that is close to me personally. I have stood side by side with family members who struggled with addiction. Delaware lost 400 people to overdoses in 2018, the fifth highest overdose death rate in the nation.
Border and National Security - The first responsibility of the federal government is to protect and defend the country. We must enforce our Immigration Policy, including preventing the overstay of visas, one of the primary causes of the immigration issue.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ State of Delaware, "General Election 11/08/2016 Filed Candidates By Office," accessed September 27, 2016
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 12, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Delaware.gov, "General election candidates," accessed September 27, 2016 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "glist16" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "glist16" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, "General Election (Official Results)," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Delaware.gov, "Primary election candidates," accessed July 13, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Delaware Department of Elections, Primary Election (Official Returns)," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official primary election candidate list," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official general election candidate list," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official general election results," accessed November 13, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Lee Murphy U.S. Congress, “Platform,” accessed August 11, 2022
