Patty Murray
DemocratU.S. Senator, WA| Age | 75 (b. 1950-10-11) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 1993-01-05 (~33 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | White (Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian American ancestry) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Washington State University (1972) |
| Prior occupation | Preschool teacher; parenting class instructor at Shoreline Community College; Shoreline School District board member |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Bothell, Washington |
| Marital status | Married — Rob Murray |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Seattle, Washington |
Pending research: languages · notable relatives · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 1992 |
| Previous offices | Shoreline School District Board of Directors (1985-1989) · Washington State Senate (1989-1993) |
| Committees | Committee on Appropriations (Vice Chair/Ranking Member) · Committee on the Budget · Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · Committee on Veterans' Affairs |
| Caucuses | Senate Oceans Caucus · Senate Aerospace Caucus · Afterschool Caucus · Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus · Congressional Coalition on Adoption |
| Leadership | President pro tempore of the Senate (2023-2025), first woman to hold the position · Senate Assistant Democratic Leader (2017-2023) · Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus (2007-2017) · Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee (2023-2025) · Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (2021-2023) · Chair, Senate Budget Committee (2013-2015) · Chair, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (2011-2013) · Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (2001-2003; 2011-2013) |
| Ideology | Liberal; DW-NOMINATE score of -0.367 (negative = liberal) per Voteview |
| Signature legislation | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Murray-Ryan budget deal) · Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act (2014) |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $1,530,000–$3,890,000 (2023) · estimate
| Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) | fund · $500,000–$1,000,000 · 2025 |
| Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund (FFFFX) | fund · –$500,000 · 2025 |
| Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund (FFTHX) | fund · –$500,000 · 2025 |
| Western & Southern Life Assurance Co. Individual Retirement Annuity | other · –$250,000 · 2025 |
| Principal Equity Income Fund A (PQIAX) | fund · –$250,000 · 2025 |
Top donors: Boeing (third largest career contributor)
Top industries: Lobbyists · Medical Devices & Supplies · Health Professionals
Scandals & crimes ledger
No recorded incidents. Under the adjudicated-only methodology, an entry appears only when a court or official body has formally acted and the record is cited.