ST. LOUIS – With 80th District Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, term-limited at the end of next year, Democrats in the deep blue district will have their chance to choose someone who is not an incumbent for the first time in eight years.
Ben Murray hopes to become that candidate. He kicked off his campaign in late September with the endorsement from former U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan. Murray worked on Carnahan’s campaigns out of college and went on to work for him in Washington.
“Being in that room when he introduced me at that kickoff event was really special,” he said. “It was surreal.”
A lifelong politico who has worked on numerous campaigns and as an active member in Democratic politics, Murray now will play the role of politician. He knows that part well enough from the outside, but it comes with a few differences as well.
“It is very strange, but also very exciting and gratifying in a lot of ways,” Murray said. “I’m having to work out some muscles I’ve never had to work out before. Some of the stuff comes naturally, and some of the stuff is pretty new.”
Murray says he is used to having people come out and asking them to support, but he adds asking them to support him is foreign, but enjoyable.
After helping Jake Zimmerman get re-elected as St. Louis County Assessor in 2014 and assisting with Zimmerman’s current campaign for attorney general, Murray thought he may do some other things outside of politics. However, the Democrat decided to run after taking a trip to the Capitol in May.
“What really brought it home for me was being in Jefferson City on the last day of session,” he said. “Watching that body just in total meltdown, totally dysfunctional, it was really disappointing.”
Murray cited the extravagant gifts and catering from lobbyists as evidence that those in Jefferson City are part of a broken body.
“There are Republicans that I don’t agree with on many issues that are embarassed by the things that happen there,” he said, adding that he knows both Democrats and Republicans partake in activities that many “outsider” candidates have decried. “I think there’s time for like-minded Republicans and Democrats to come together. I think there’s a real opportunity to work with some of those folks to get things done.”
That said, he does not consider himself naive.
“My eyes are open,” he said. “I don’t think as a freshman member of the lower chamber, one of 163, that in my first 100 days I’m going to pass 10 pieces of legislation… It’s a difficult challenge for Democrats. I think there’s value to speaking up and showing there’s another way even if it’s difficult to do the things we want to do.
“We need people of real conscience. We need real progressives.”
What he wants is to serve the constituents of his district, but to earn that right, he will have to fight two other Democrats for the spot. Peter Meredith and Rob Stelzer, two attorneys, are also vying for the 80th District seat.
