ATLANTA - Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy began packing up more than 40 years of memories from his Capitol office Friday, declaring he has no ill will for the voters in his west Georgia district who decided in November it was time for him to come home.
As workers bundled up scores of photographs, curios and mementos of a lifetime in politics, Murphy said he feels more relaxed than ever but is distressed by the continuing fight among fellow Democrats over who will succeed him.
He criticized Rep. Larry Walker, a former top lieutenant, for his campaign to topple the man House Democrats have nominated to wield the gavel.
``I am as relaxed as a human being can be, and I hold no ill will toward anybody,'' said Murphy, 78.
He added with a chuckle, ``I admit there are some people I like less than others out home, but I'm proud of the fact that when the good Lord made me, he left that vindictiveness stuff out of me. Not much, any how.''
First elected to the House in 1960, Murphy was defeated on Nov. 5 by Republican Bill Heath, who was barely born when Murphy first took the oath of office. A die-hard Democrat, Murphy could only watch year by year as his legislative district trended Republican.
He had been speaker since 1974, and was the longest-serving presiding officer of a state legislative body in the nation.
``I'm just ready to go home and enjoy the rest of my life. That's what's amazing folks at home at how relaxed I am,'' Murphy said. ``It's sort of like they've removed the world from my shoulders. Somebody else will have to worry about this stuff now. I was here early in the morning, late at night and everybody else going off partying and me still here working.''
Over the years, the memorabilia in Murphy's office has grown to cover almost every available space. Besides the now-fading photos of Murphy and prominent politicians dating back decades, there were numerous oddities - a wooden oxen yoke, a stuffed bobcat - and homemade items made by his constituents.
The collection will go to the State University of West Georgia, which plans to recreate Murphy's office on campus and display the items just as he had them.
``They said they'd raise the money locally and personally. That's up to them. I'm not one that's really interested in that sort of stuff, myself. I was going just pack it up and take it home and let the kids do what they wanted to,'' Murphy said.
But if it sounds like Murphy is ready to ride quietly into the sunset, that's not quite right. He's taken an active interest in the contest to succeed him.
It's being waged between two top lieutenants - Reps. Terry Coleman of Eastman and Walker. Coleman won the Democratic nomination at a caucus of House Democrats in November. The full House will vote on the question on Jan. 13. Walker intends to challenge Coleman at that time.
Democrats hold a 106-72 majority with one independent and one legislative race unsettled. It takes 91 votes to win. Walker hopes to gather all the Republican votes with the help of incoming Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue and spin off enough Democrats to win.
Murphy said he's disappointed Walker is bucking the Democratic party.
``I wrote him a letter when this thing first started. I told him that he should abide by the caucus decision. It was a matter of honor,'' Murphy said.
Legislative independence has been an issue in the contest, with Coleman's supporters arguing a win by Walker would put the House under a Republican governor's thumb.
Walker countered that argument in a letter he mailed to lawmakers Dec. 30, arguing the House hasn't been independent of Democratic governors.
Murphy has read that letter.
``We had some terrible disagreements (with outgoing Gov. Roy Barnes) and Larry heard those discussions ... I wish he'd just tell it like it was, and go on about his business,'' Murphy said.
``I stand by my letter,'' Walker said. ``Beyond that, I have no comment.''
Monday
July 7th, 2025
11:53PM
