| Representative Andrew Murr was first elected in 2014 to represent District 53 in the Texas House of Representatives. The district includes Bandera, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Menard, Real, Schleicher and Sutton Counties. An eighth generation Texan, he was raised on a ranch in Kimble County, and attended school in Junction.
Representative Murr attended Texas A&M University, receiving a bachelor degree, summa cum laude, in Agricultural Development with an emphasis in economics and policy. Following graduation, he worked toward his master's degree at A&M and earned his teaching certification, completing his student teaching in Mason. He subsequently graduated with highest honors from Texas Tech University School of Law. In 2008, Representative Murr was elected Kimble County Attorney. However, he was appointed to the position of County Judge, due to a vacancy, before he was sworn in.
As County Judge, Representative Murr presided over hundreds of criminal, civil and probate cases and was never overturned on appeal. In his term of office, he slashed county spending by 31% by cutting waste and inefficiency. Under his leadership, Kimble County today retained one of the lowest tax rates in the state, maintaining zero debt and incurring no future pension obligations. He is also the past Chairman of the Concho Valley Council of Governments Executive Committee, where he was responsible for overseeing millions of dollars in funding for the twelve-county region in the areas of law enforcement, emergency preparedness, solid waste, rural transportation, and early childhood education. Representative Murr continued to serve as Kimble County Judge until late 2013, when he announced his candidacy for state office.
Governor Rick Perry appointed Representative Murr to Concho Valley Regional Review Board in 2011. He is a past president of the Kimble-Edwards Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Junction Rotary Club. He serves as a member of the Kimble County of Historical Commission and the Kimble County Youth Show. He is also a proud member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and the National Rifle Association.
During his tenure in the House, he has served on the Transportation Committee, Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee, Rules and Resolutions Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, State Federal Power and Responsibility Committee (Vice Chair), Local and Consent Calendars Committee, Select Committee on Mental Health, and the Select Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse.
In September 2015, Representative Murr was appointed as one of only two House members to the Texas Judicial Council. This appointment also names Murr to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. The TJC is the policy-making body for the state judiciary and the TIDC provides support to counties to develop and maintain indigent legal defense systems.
Representative Murr lives on the family ranch in Junction and raises cattle. He also owns a small business, Telegraph Title Company, and maintains a general law practice. Murr is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Junction. |