Chris Murphy is a Democratic senator from Connecticut. First elected in 2012 after defeating Republican Linda McMahon, he quickly became one of the Senate’s most visible voices on gun violence prevention and mental health policy. He won re-election in 2018 and again in 2024, the latter by about 19 points.
Born August 3, 1973, in White Plains, New York, Murphy earned his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He served in the Connecticut House and State Senate, then in the U.S. House of Representatives, before moving to the Senate at age 39 — at the time, the youngest sitting senator.
Murphy is strongly identified with gun reform advocacy, especially after the Sandy Hook shooting. He helped negotiate the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and he’s carved out a role on mental health, foreign policy, and democracy reform while also steering federal money into Connecticut infrastructure, transit, and coastal protection.
Establishment Democrat
Achievements
- Co-authored and passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant federal gun safety bill in decades
- Expanded access to mental health services and pushed opioid crisis response funding
- Championed environmental protections for Long Island Sound and climate resilience projects
- Helped secure federal investment in Connecticut transportation and infrastructure
Controversies
- Criticized from the left for compromise-driven gun legislation that some activists say didn’t go far enough
- Faced pushback from progressives on certain foreign policy and defense funding positions viewed as too cautious
- Has been pressed on past acceptance of PAC-aligned fundraising despite messaging on political reform
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | $105,385 | $105,385 | $0 |
| Elliott Management | $89,300 | $89,300 | $0 |
| Paul, Weiss et al | $75,191 | $75,191 | $0 |
| Scott & Scott | $54,300 | $54,300 | $0 |
| State of Connecticut | $51,680 | $51,680 | $0 |
Donor totals reflect organization-linked giving, including university, finance, and legal sector sources.
Recent Elections
2012 Margin D +11%
2018 Margin D +20%
2024 Margin D +18.9%