Former Congressman Murphy running for state AG

A former suburban Philadelphia congressman wants to be Pennsylvania attorney general.

Patrick Murphy of Bucks County kicked off his campaign Wednesday in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood – in front of a memorial to a man with the same first name. “Patrick Ward is an American hero and who I’m named after.  He gave his life in the defense of our nation in Vietnam, he was my mom’s best friend growing up here, he’s a St. Franny’s guy, Roman Catholic graduate,” said Murphy. “To me, he epitomizes what public service is about and why I went into the military and public service when I came home.” Murphy said if elected attorney general, he would fight crime wherever it is–on the streets, in corporate boardrooms or in Harrisburg.

Murphy, an Iraq war veteran who has prosecuted terrorists, said his family background make him a good candidate, “As the son of a Philadelphia police officer and (being) from a law enforcement family, I am uniquely qualified as someone who can be the next Pennsylvania attorney general,” said Murphy, adding he “will make sure that we do all we can to bring about justice in Pennsylvania.” Murphy already has the backing of a lengthy list of politicians, Democratic Party leaders, and labor leaders.

He is the first high-profile candidate to enter the race.