Jim Murphy has been representing Missouri’s 94th House District for eight years. After this legislative session, he will be term-limited, though a “Representative Murphy” may just remain in that seat.

Enter Jim’s wife, Maryellen Murphy, who last month filed for candidacy for Missouri’s 94th House District.

“We’ve been involved in politics since forever,” Maryellen said of her and Jim. “It started in high school, and I worked on campaigns in college. Then, when you’re working and raising a family, you don’t have as much time, but we volunteered. I think we’ve always had our foot in the door.”

Per Maryellen, politics did not come to the forefront of the Murphy household until the previous representative for the district, Cloria Brown, approached Jim and asked him to run for the seat after she was diagnosed with cancer. Jim successfully secured the position in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

“So for eight years, it’s been our life. And I have been thrust in the middle of it,” Maryellen said. She went on to emphasize the importance of learning from active elected officials and how having connections in Jefferson City is key to getting things done. “Any new freshman coming in starts at the bottom. They’re lucky to find their office in the capital. Whereas I have a very distinct advantage in knowing so many of the senators and so many of the other representatives and the leadership — those like the secretary of state, the attorney general. I know those people and have for very many years.”

Maryellen, a Republican, will face Cathy A Summers, a Democrat, in the Nov. 3 election. The two, as of The Call’s press time, are the only candidates who have filed for the 94th District seat.