Tom Murt
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. Murt is a Republican
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
, representing the 152nd legislative district
. He was first elected in 2006
.
Murt is a native of Hatboro, Pennsylvania
and graduated from Archbishop Wood High School. He has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Education from LaSalle University. He also earned a Teaching Certificate from Gwynedd-Mercy College
. He has completed graduate economics coursework at Temple University
.
Murt has served in the U.S. Army Reserve since 1990. In 2003, he was called to active duty and served 14 months with the U.S. Army's
4th Infantry Division in Iraq
. Following his deployment, Murt returned to the U.S. Army Reserve with the 656th Area Support Group
.
Prior to elective office, he was assistant coordinator for the Counseling and Advising Center at Penn State Abington
, where he also taught business classes. Murt was elected to the Upper Moreland Township
Board of Commissioners in 1993 and served for ten years but resigned after he was called to active duty in the Army. He also served on the board of the Upper Moreland School District
.
In 2006, Murt ran for the Pennsylvania State House against incumbent Sue Cornell in the Republican primary. He benefited from voter anger over the 2005 legislative pay raise
. Even though Cornell won the party endorsement and had support from other State Representatives Murt prevailed in the primary with 55% of the vote. Murt went on to defeat Democrat Michael Paston in the general election with 54% of the vote.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
, representing the 152nd legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 152
The 152nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is made up of parts of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania...
. He was first elected in 2006
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
.
Murt is a native of Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Hatboro is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,360 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hatboro is located at ....
and graduated from Archbishop Wood High School. He has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Education from LaSalle University. He also earned a Teaching Certificate from Gwynedd-Mercy College
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Gwynedd-Mercy College is an independent, co-educational institution located in Gwynedd Valley of Lower Gwynedd Township, PA, northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Founded in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college, Gwynedd-Mercy College was rechartered in 1963 as baccalaureate institution...
. He has completed graduate economics coursework at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
Murt has served in the U.S. Army Reserve since 1990. In 2003, he was called to active duty and served 14 months with the U.S. Army's
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
4th Infantry Division in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Following his deployment, Murt returned to the U.S. Army Reserve with the 656th Area Support Group
Structure of the United States Armed Forces
The Chain of command leading from the President through the Secretary of Defense down to the newest recruits. The United States armed forces are organized through the United States Department of Defense, which oversees a complex and complicated structure of joint command and control functions with...
.
Prior to elective office, he was assistant coordinator for the Counseling and Advising Center at Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Located approximately north of Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States in the Abington section of Abington Township, it is set in wooded, which include a duck pond and stands of hardwood trees...
, where he also taught business classes. Murt was elected to the Upper Moreland Township
Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Moreland Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 24,015 at the 2010 census. Upper Moreland Township is primarily a residential community with distinctive neighborhoods that are complemented by several thriving business, industrial, and...
Board of Commissioners in 1993 and served for ten years but resigned after he was called to active duty in the Army. He also served on the board of the Upper Moreland School District
Upper Moreland School District
Upper Moreland School District is located in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Township has a general population of 25,000 residents who are served by the post offices of Willow Grove, Hatboro, and Huntingdon Valley, although due...
.
In 2006, Murt ran for the Pennsylvania State House against incumbent Sue Cornell in the Republican primary. He benefited from voter anger over the 2005 legislative pay raise
2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy
In the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers, judges, and top executive-branch officials. The vote took place at 2 a.m. without public review or commentary and Governor Ed Rendell signed the bill into law...
. Even though Cornell won the party endorsement and had support from other State Representatives Murt prevailed in the primary with 55% of the vote. Murt went on to defeat Democrat Michael Paston in the general election with 54% of the vote.
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Thomas P. Murt official PA House website
- Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus - Representative Thomas P. Murt official Party website