Steve Murphy-Campaign Manager

Steve Murphy

"Over the years I've learned that too many political strategists try to out-think the electoral process, especially in Presidential campaigns. I think that's a big mistake."

Steve Murphy's first experience on a campaign came as a student at the University of Delaware in 1972 when he volunteered for Joe Biden for Senate. In addition to his extensive campaign experience, outlined in his biography below, Murphy worked as Administrative Assistant to Rep. Gephardt in 1986 and as Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus under Gephardt and Rep. Bill Gray.

Steve Murphy is a partner in Murphy Putnam Media, Inc, along with Mark Putnam. The firm produces television and radio commercials and provides strategic advice to Democratic candidates for public office, as well as progressive interest groups and causes.
In 2002, Murphy Putnam Media went 7-0 in statewide elections, including Governor Phil Bredesen in Tennessee, and Governor Brad Henry in Oklahoma. In 2000, the firm helped elect two more Democratic Governors in hotly contested races: Bob Holden in Missouri and Ruth Ann Minner in Delaware.
Murphy Putnam Media also helped elected seven new Members of Congress in the 2002 election cycle, including Jim Marshall and Denise Majette in Georgia, Stephen Lynch in Massachusetts, and Chris Bell in Texas. Other 2002 clients included the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, EMILY’S List, Lisa Madigan for Attorney General in Illinois, and Mayor Francis Slay in St. Louis.
Murphy Putnam Media has won nine Pollie Awards and was cited for producing the most effective ad of the year in 1996 by Roll Call. In 1998, CNN gave its Funniest Ad of the Year Award to the firm.
Prior to co-founding Murphy Putnam Media, Mr. Murphy managed or worked on over twenty other political campaigns across the country, dating back to the 1976 Carter presidential campaign. Mr. Murphy has been profiled as a national campaign organizer by both the New York Times Magazine and NBC Nightly News.
A graduate of the University of Delaware, Mr. Murphy’s political experience includes serving as Campaign Manager and chief strategist for Wilson Goode’s 1983 campaign for Mayor of Philadelphia. In 1988, Mr. Murphy managed Congressman Richard Gephardt’s winning Iowa presidential caucus campaign, and also served as Illinois State Director for the Dukakis-Bentsen campaign during the general election. At the close of 1988, Mr. Murphy was named a Democratic MVP by the Almanac of Presidential Politics.