Longtime Northland state rep. Mary Murphy has died

Longtime Northland state representative Mary Murphy (DFL) has died.

Murphy was longest-serving female legislator and the second longest-serving representative ever in the Minnesota House.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library says Murphy spent 16,801 days in public service. She lost her seat to state Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R) in the 2022 election and finished her time at the state capitol on Dec. 31, 2022.

On Christmas Eve, House Speaker Melissa Hortman said Murphy would be placed in hospice care after a stroke.

In an interview with WDIO in 2022, Murphy said public service was “a vocation that I’ve accepted.”

“Every session is a new year, a new opportunity. You get to start from scratch – almost from scratch,” she said. “And you’re helping people in Minnesota, and you’re making a difference.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she will be missed.

“She was a strong advocate and so often the only woman at the table in northern Minnesota. Now that’s changed but Mary was in so many ways ahead of her time!” Klobuchar said in a post on X.

Murphy served House District 14B from 1977-82, District 8A from 1983-2002, District 6B from 2003-2012, and District 3B from 2013-2022.

Minnesota Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (R) for District 3B, was Murphy’s successor for the position back in 2023.

She wrote on her Facebook, “I was honored to know her, and work with her on senior care issues during my nursing home administrator years. She was always willing to listen and learn and had a smile for everyone,” she said. “May this faithful woman of service rest in peace. Gone, and never forgotten.”