Murphy Will Not Seek Re-Election To Council

Councilman Steve Murphy will not seek re-election to council, he told Patch early Saturday morning.

Murphy is currently serving the second year of a two-year term as councilman at-large.

"There’s just a lot more demands on the job, with travel and so forth," he said.

Murphy said that despite his decision not to seek re-election this year, he plans to campaign hard for Democratic slate of candidates.

"I remain very bullish of Summit," he said. "I still think it’s the place best in the world to live, to raise a family and to retire."

Murphy defeated two-term Councilman Andy Lark in 2009 to win election.

Murphy's term will expire on Dec. 31. Democrat Susan Hairston will campaign against Republican Gregory Drummond for Murphy's seat on council.

Murphy said the biggest issues that remain in Summit are supporting the Board of Education and sustaining top-notch schools, supporting the police and fire departments to ensure public safety and what Murphy says is a "looming threat" of a parking garage.

"I’ll go to my grave that I’ll never be supportive of another parking garage in our downtown," he said.

While his term on council is flying by, Murphy said he cherishes that he got to know many city staff so well and come to appreciate the work they do for the city. He also said he'll miss Mayor Jordan Glatt's guidance and leadership when his term also expires on Dec. 31.

"He's done a lot of things for this city," Murphy said. "His fingerprints are on it."