Patty Murray

Patricia Lynn "Patty" Murray (née Johns; October 11, 1950) is the senior United States Senator from Washington. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Patty Murray
Official portrait, 2013
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Patrick Leahy
Senate Assistant Democratic Leader
In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2023
Leader	Chuck Schumer
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished
United States Senator from Washington
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1993 Serving with Maria Cantwell
Preceded by	Brock Adams
Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Patrick Leahy
Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Lamar Alexander
Succeeded by	Bernie Sanders
Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Lamar Alexander
Succeeded by	Richard Burr
Secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2017
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Debbie Stabenow
Succeeded by	Tammy Baldwin
Chair of the Senate Budget Committee
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Kent Conrad
Succeeded by	Mike Enzi
Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Daniel Akaka
Succeeded by	Bernie Sanders
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Bob Menendez
Succeeded by	Michael Bennet
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Robert Torricelli
Succeeded by	Jon Corzine
Member of the Washington Senate from the 1st district
In office January 9, 1989 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Bill Kiskaddon
Succeeded by	Rosemary McAuliffe
Personal details
Born	Patricia Lynn Johns (1950-10-11) October 11, 1950 Bothell, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Rob Murray (m. 1972)
Children	2
Education	Washington State University (BA)
Occupation	Politician environmentalist educator
Profession	Teacher
Website	Senate website

Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992, becoming Washington's first female senator. She was re-elected in 1998, 2004 and 2010.

With Patrick Leahy's retirement, Murray became the Senate President pro tempore in the 118th Congress, becoming the first female to hold the position in history.[1]