Charles A. Murphy, Democrat
State Representative, Twenty-first Middlesex. House Chair, Ways & Means
Of counsel, Gibson & Behman PC
Charles A. Murphy was appointed chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means in February. He is focused on crafting a budget which addresses the commonwealth’s priorities while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Murphy was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1997 and is currently serving his eighth term.
Murphy joined the U.S. Marine Corps while in law school and served from 1989 to 1994, earning the rank of captain. While stationed at Cherry Point, N.C., he served a six-month tour as the staff judge advocate for the commanding officer aboard the USS Guadalcanal that deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Murphy also served as a military prosecutor and special assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Born and raised in Burlington, Murphy graduated from Villanova University, Vermont Law School and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He lives in Burlington with his wife and two daughters.
Robert A. DeLeo, Democrat
State Representative, Nineteenth Suffolk, Speaker of the House
Law Office of Robert A. DeLeo
Robert A. DeLeo was appointed speaker of the House in February. DeLeo was House Ways & Means Committee chair from 2005 to 2009.
Currently vice chairman of the Winthrop Democratic Town Committee, DeLeo is also a Town Meeting member in Winthrop and has served in that capacity since 1977. He formerly served on the Winthrop Board of Selectmen and was its chairman for nine years.
DeLeo is also involved in regional and social issues as a member of the Airports Hazards Committee, Friends of the Council on Aging, Revere League for the Special Needs, Revere Santa Fund and Friends of Parks and Recreation.
Born and raised in Winthrop, DeLeo graduated from Boston Latin School, Northeastern University and Suffolk University Law School. DeLeo, who has a son and daughter, lives in his childhood home.
James E. Vallee, Democrat
State Representative, Tenth Norfolk, House Majority Leader
Partner, Cornetta, Ficco, Simmler & Vallee LLP
U.S. Army Reserve Officer
James E. Vallee was appointed House majority leader in February. Vallee first ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1994 and has been re-elected for eight terms. He also serves on the Committee on Ethics and Committee on Rules. His legislative priorities include meaningful ethics reform, transportation reform — specifically of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority — funding for public education and state pension reform.
Vallee was the House chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee for the 2003-04 session, passing stronger drunk driving laws and penalties for sex offenders. He is also involved in regional and social issues as a member of the Elder Affairs Caucus, the MetroWest Caucus, the Children’s Caucus and the Charles River Legislative Caucus. In addition, Vallee sits on the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership’s Board of Directors. Murphy is a lieutenant colonel member of the Massachusetts National Guard and a command judge advocate for the 151st Troop Command.
Born and raised in Franklin, Vallee graduated from Providence College, New England School of Law and the University of Virginia’s U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School. He lives in Franklin with his wife and two daughters.