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Paul McMurtry
Paul McMurtry
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; from the 11th Norfolk district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; May 30, 2007
Preceded by	Robert Coughlin
Personal details
Born	October 28, 1965 (age 59); Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Parents	Robert H. McMurtry (father); Annmarie Ubertini (mother);
Residence	Dedham, Massachusetts
Education	Northeastern University (B.S.B.A.)
Occupation	Legislator, Movie Theater Owner

Paul McMurtry (October 28, 1965) is an American politician from Massachusetts. A Democrat, he has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2007. He represents the Eleventh Norfolk District, which includes his hometown of Dedham, Westwood, and the Eighth Precinct of Walpole.^[1]

McMurtry attended elementary school at the now-closed Dexter School in Dedham,^[2] and graduated from Dedham High School. He earned his B.S.B.A. in Management from Northeastern University. He has been self-employed since the age of twenty as the owner of several small businesses, including PM Productions, a video store he created while in college, and the Dedham Community Theatre, which he currently owns and operates. McMurtry is actively involved in the local branch of Rotary International, where he served twice as club president.

Representative McMurtry ran in a special election in 2007 to replace outgoing Representative Robert Coughlin. McMurtry ran as an independent having not held any prior elected office. He won a plurality of the vote in the three way race, garnering 37.6% of the vote overall and 53.8% in his hometown of Dedham.^[3] McMurtry ran unopposed for re-election in every subsequent biannual election until John McDonald challenged him in 2018.

Personal life

McMurtry is Catholic and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.^[4]

Political career

Since assuming office, Representative McMurtry has been actively involved in various legislative committees. As of the 2023-2024 legislative session, he serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.^[5] In previous sessions, he has held roles such as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.^[6]

As a business owner, he was also deeply involved in discussions surrounding Dedham's Legacy Place, emphasizing the potential impact of new movie screens on Dedham Community Theatre, which he owned.^[7] His involvement in this issue was complicated by his dual role as both a state representative and a local business owner, prompting questions about potential conflicts of interest.^[8]

McMurtry's early legislative priorities centered on economic growth and infrastructure. He supported the development of Westwood Station while advocating for measures to minimize traffic congestion on Canton Street, which connects Dedham and Westwood.^[9]

In 2008, McMurtry became a central figure in a heated legislative battle to grant Wegmans supermarket a beer and wine license at the planned $1.5 billion Westwood Station development.^[10] McMurtry encountered strong opposition from fellow representatives, notably Angelo Scaccia and William C. Galvin, who cited concerns over increased traffic and competitive disadvantages for existing businesses like Roche Bros.^[11]^[12]

In 2018, McMurtry was one of the original sponsors of Bill H.4479, which placed restrictions on e-cigarettes and raised the age for buying tobacco from 18 to 21.^[13] Citing the increasing vaping epidemic among youth, McMurtry sponsored the bill in able to "prevent young people from taking up the deadly habit and getting addicted to nicotine products". Governor Charlie Baker subsequently signed McMurtry's legislation.

The same year, McMurtry filed legislation to protect independent auto repair shops against vehicle manufacturers.^[14] Some vehicle manufacturers use wireless technology to bypass current right to repair information sharing laws, and McMurtry's bill intends to renew discussion on keeping laws updated with the progress of technology.

In January 2019, Representative McMurtry faced allegations of inappropriate conduct during an orientation event for new lawmakers. A special committee was formed to investigate the claims. After a thorough review, the committee concluded in March 2019 that there was "insufficient evidence" to support the allegations, and no action was taken.^[15]

Electoral history

Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2007 (Special Election)
	Candidate	Votes	%
Independent	Paul McMurtry	2,948	37.58%
Republican	Douglas E. Obey	2,466	31.44%
Democratic	Stephen M. Bilafer	2,424	30.90%
	All Others	6	0.08%
	Blank Votes	1

Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2018
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Paul McMurtry	14,046	66.98%
Republican	John G. McDonald	6,904	32.92%
	All Others	21	0.10%
	Blank Votes	1,317

Massachusetts General Court 11th Norfolk District, 2024
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Paul McMurtry	16,529	67.87%
Independent	Andrew Pepoli	7,644	31.91%
	All Others	55	0.23%
	Blank Votes	3,221

References

^ "Member Profile – Paul McMurtry". Retrieved 2012-06-25.
^ "Dedham's Dexter building could get state funds for renovation". Boston.com. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
^ "State Election – Town of Dedham". Retrieved 2012-06-25.
^ "Knights embarassed [sic] by members who voted against Mass. marriage amendment". Retrieved 2016-09-24.
^ "Rep. Paul McMurtry". TrackBill. PolicyEnage, LLC. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
^ "Paul McMurtry". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
^ Anderson, Patrick (August 8, 2007). "Legacy proving a tough place McMurtry: Balancing business, lawmaking duties is not easy". The Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA.
^ "A conflict appears". Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA. August 7, 2007.
^ "Hit the Ground Running". Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA. May 17, 2007.
^ "Hit the Ground Running". The Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA. November 18, 2008.
^ Colby, Edward (October 30, 2008). "No budging in beer battle - McMurtry says his blocking tactic is 'really my only option'". The Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA.
^ Parietti, Lindsey (August 19, 2008). "Wegmans stirs havoc on the Hill - Readville rep., McMurtry clash over alcohol permit". The Dedham Transcript. Dedham, MA.
^ "Massachusetts House votes to raise age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21". Retrieved 2019-01-16.
^ "Right-to-repair returns with wireless tech bill". Retrieved 2019-01-16.
^ "State Rep. Paul McMurtry cleared of sexual harassment allegations by committee". WCVB. March 13, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2024.