Former Pittsburgh-area Congressman dies at age 73

PITTSBURGH — A former congressman who represented the Pittsburgh area for 15 years has died.

Former Allegheny County Councilman and GOP Chair Sam DeMarco confirms to Channel 11 that Congressman Tim Murphy (R-18) has died. He was 73.

Murphy, an Upper St. Clair psychologist, served in Congress from 2003 until his resignation in 2017 following the release of texts where he asked a woman he had an affair with to get an abortion.

A news advisory says Murphy died at home of an apparent heart attack.

During his 15-year Congressional career, Murphy championed mental health reform.

Murphy was the prime sponsor of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was incorporated into the 21st Century Cures Act and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016.

He also wrote a report on the opioid crisis, offering 42 policy and regulatory change recommendations, and chaired nearly a dozen Congressional investigations.

Before his congressional career, Murphy served in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1996 to 2002 and served in the United States Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps. Upon his retirement from Congress, he became a private practice psychologist and worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

The Republican Committee of Allegheny County remembers Murphy as dedicated to representing his constituents and serving his country with “conviction and commitment.”

“We are grateful for his contributions and the lasting impact he made on his community and our nation,” the Republican Committee of Allegheny County statement said in part.

A number of politicians have since reacted to the news of Murphy’s passing.

Sen. Dave McCormick remembers Murphy as a friend whom he respected for his commitment to serving others.

Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman said he was “devastated” to learn of the death of his former boss and one of his “most influential political mentors.”

“Tim was a true statesman who cared deeply about the people he represented. Whether you agreed with his policies or not, no one could deny his unwavering commitment to his constituents or the tireless work ethic he brought to public service every single day. He was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known,” Sherman’s statement said in part.

Republican State Sen. Devlin Robinson, a close friend and colleague, said he was shocked to learn of Murphy’s death.

“We did a lot of projects together, helping veterans around the area and we talked a lot. We’d meet for cigars, talk about politics, talk about life in general, and he was a good friend,” Robinson said.

Robinson said Murphy also made supporting veterans a priority.

He spoke about the first time he met Murphy in 2014.

“I said, ‘Hey, you have to see all the great things that we are doing up in Laurel Highlands with the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.’ To his credit, he came up and spent a lot of time and invested his time with us,” Robinson said.

State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa also reflected on Murphy’s legacy, writing, “We had the opportunity to work together on a few issues we both felt passionately about, like expanding access to pre-K for all children. Keeping his friends and family in my thoughts.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly also offered his condolences, saying, “I had a close working relationship with Dr. Murphy on important policy issues, including mental health. He will be missed.”

Robinson said he hopes people remember Murphy for his commitment to those he represented.

“The man cared about his constituency and he cared about the district he represented,” Robinson said.

Before serving in Congress, Murphy served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1997 to 2003.

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