First State Times

Lee Murphy filed his paperwork April 5 with the state of Delaware to officially run for U.S. congressman on the Republican ticket.

First State Times reached out to Murphy to answer some questions about his campaign to serve as Delaware's lone U.S. House representative. 

"I’m running because we need strong voices for Delaware residents in Washington," Murphy told First State Times. "Sadly, the incumbent [Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester] has become a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. Delaware can’t afford a rubber stamp. We need a voice for the people, not someone beholden to party or special interests. I’m going to go to Washington to get things done for the people of Delaware."

Murphy says, if elected, his top priority to address will be the economy. 

"We are facing incredible economic pressures today," Murphy told First State Times. "The government’s COVID-19 response hurt our country badly, although Delaware was in last place in the country in economic growth in 2019, long before COVID hit. Subsidizing unemployment hurt businesses just as much as closing them down when no one could go out. We need to work with small businesses to give them the resources to create or expand jobs.

"Inflation is also a huge issue completely fouled up by politicians and bureaucrats," he said. "Even as inflation skyrocketed, the Biden administration and the Fed denied that it was an issue. Now they tell us that inflation is settling in for the long haul. Their solution? Raise taxes, raise interest rates, and increase spending. That’s not right. We need to invest in domestic energy production to lower gas prices, fix supply chain issues and cut taxes to give people more of their hard-earned paychecks."

Even though Delaware has long been a blue state (it last voted for a GOP presidential candidate in 1988), Murphy believes, even as a Republican, he can win the election. 

"The people I speak to in Delaware understand the need to elect the best person and not to vote just based on party ID," Murphy told First State Times. "We’ve been a one party state for a long time, and look where it’s gotten us. The people of Delaware are ready to send a message to D.C. that we matter and that we demand solutions."

Delaware is President Joe Biden's home state, and Murphy believes that he could provide a valuable voice for people of the First State. 

"I’ve heard from a lot of people outside of Delaware who are interested in the race," Murphy told First State Times. "I’m running to be Joe Biden’s congressman and I intend to be honest with him when I’m in Washington about what Delaware needs. And the answer isn’t going to be trillions in new spending, runaway inflation, and higher taxes."

Murphy has a blue collar background, including serving as a train conductor, often carrying Biden between Washington and Wilmington, Delaware. He believes his background makes him the best choice for Congress.

"I’m a worker," Murphy told First State Times. "Whether it was on the train, as a volunteer coach or working to better our communities, I’m going to put boots on the ground and be proactive in introducing and seeing through legislation that will help Delaware. I’ll work with anyone who wants to create solutions that help Delaware. And I’m going to tell whoever needs to hear it, from Joe Biden to the Republican leader, if they’re not doing right by Delaware. I’m of the people of Delaware, and I’m for the people of Delaware – and I plan to be elected by the people of Delaware."

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rochester votes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco 100% of the time, according to ProPublica.

More than 50% of Delaware residents report having difficulty meeting household expenses as inflation skyrockets, QuoteWizard reported.