# Tom Murphy (Minnesota politician) *American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023* Tom Murphy (born April 19, 1962) is a Republican who has sat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023. A member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]], he holds District 9B in western [[Minnesota]], a district that takes in the city of Perham and portions of Douglas and Otter Tail Counties.[^1] The legislative output the record documents for Murphy is a 2025 bill, co-sponsored with [[Pam Altendorf]]. It would have classified messenger RNA (mRNA) treatments as "weapons of mass destruction" and made possessing or administering them a crime carrying up to 20 years in prison.[^2] Murphy's House service coincides with the federal action against the State. On January 14, 2026, the [[United States Department of Justice]] Office of Public Affairs issued release No. 26-21, titled *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*, announcing a lawsuit against Minnesota. Attorney General Pamela Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance.[^3] The record does not show any vote, statement or filing by Murphy concerning that suit. ## Early life, education, and career Murphy grew up on a dairy farm in [[Scott County, Minnesota]], one of eight children. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from [[St. Cloud State University]]. He operates a business selling agricultural products.[^4] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Murphy won his House seat in 2022. That first race was for an open seat that legislative redistricting had created.[^2] His committee assignments are Health Finance and Policy and Transportation Finance and Policy.[^2] In 2025 Murphy and Altendorf co-sponsored legislation that would designate mRNA treatments as "weapons of mass destruction." Wikipedia notes that these treatments include several COVID-19 vaccines. Under the bill, possessing or administering them would be a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.[^2] According to Wikipedia's account, the bill was drafted by a Florida-based hypnotist. That author describes mRNA treatments as "nanoparticle injections" amounting to "biological and technological weapons of mass destruction." The record holds no bill number, bill text or legislative history for the measure that would confirm this account independently.[^2] ## Personal life Murphy, his wife Betty and their five children live in Underwood, Minnesota. He is a Catholic and a parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Maine Township, Minnesota.[^5] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Tom Murphy is a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 9B.[^1] ### What - In 2025 Murphy co-sponsored, with Pam Altendorf, a bill to designate mRNA treatments as weapons of mass destruction and to criminalize possessing or administering them.[^2] ### When - Murphy was elected to the House in 2022 and has served since 2023.[^1][^2] ### Where - District 9B covers Perham and parts of Douglas and Otter Tail Counties in western Minnesota.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Tom Murphy (Minnesota politician)*, lead section (revision 1366321199, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date, party, House service since 2023, District 9B and its geography. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Murphy_(Minnesota_politician) [^2]: Wikipedia, *Tom Murphy (Minnesota politician)*, "Minnesota House of Representatives" section (revision 1366321199, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 2022 election in a redistricting-created open seat, committee assignments, and the 2025 mRNA bill co-sponsored with Pam Altendorf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Murphy_(Minnesota_politician) [^3]: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*, release No. 26-21 (Jan. 14, 2026) — announcement of the lawsuit against Minnesota and Attorney General Bondi's certification of the case as a matter of general public importance. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-department-justice-files-lawsuit-against-minnesotas-affirmative-action-regime [^4]: Wikipedia, *Tom Murphy (Minnesota politician)*, "Early life, education, and career" section (revision 1366321199, retrieved 2026-10-26) — upbringing in Scott County, St. Cloud State degree and agricultural products business. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Murphy_(Minnesota_politician) [^5]: Wikipedia, *Tom Murphy (Minnesota politician)*, "Personal life" section (revision 1366321199, retrieved 2026-10-26) — residence, family and parish. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Murphy_(Minnesota_politician)