In 2024, Lexington voters will elect a mayor to a two-year term. The candidates are:
About the candidate: I have been a resident of Lexington for 37 years. I am current Mayor of Lexington and a member of the Circle Pines-Lexington Lions Club. During the past two years as Mayor, I was successful being part of a negotiation to change the funding formula for our police department, which is the largest expenditure in the City of Lexington’s budget.
I am retired from the Lexington Fire Department having served for 28 plus years, with 12 of those as the Fire Chief. With the Fire department, I enjoyed working with other groups and clubs; the Circle-Lex Lions, Centennial Community Food Shelf and the Salvation Army. Married with three children, I work as a Sr. Principal Quality Technician for a medical device company. I perform complaint analysis on non-implantable cardiac surgery devices. My hobbies include motorcycle rides, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, ATV side by side adventures and outdoor cooking.
Important Issues:
- Continue to identify sources for funding and ways to improve fiscal management to control the City’s portion of property taxes. Keeping public services fully funded and controlling costs at the same time is vital.
- Water quality and accessibility is important as we seek to find the best solution for our citizens.
- With continued growth in our population, I would look for ways to develop diverse community involvement in our community.
Goals if Elected:
Improve fiscal management to control city property taxes.
Identify additional funding for projects in our City, including aesthetics of Lake Drive and additional improvements at Lexington Memorial Park.
Foster a unified city with diverse community involvement.
My focus is the citizens of Lexington
Endorsements:
Diane Harris, former City of Lexington Councilmember
Mark Kurth, former City of Lexington Mayor
Connect with Me:
Email: gman140@msn.com
I have a Facebook account.
Candidate Interview:
About the candidate: Mike Murphy was born and raised in Minnesota, learning the values of hard work and community service from his parents. His father, a dedicated Air Force veteran, instilled a sense of duty, while his mother, an immigrant from the Netherlands, taught him perseverance. Mike and his wife, Gloria, moved to Lexington in 2013, where they are raising their two daughters, Eleanor and Evelyn.
Initially aiming for a career in law enforcement, Mike’s path shifted after college due to a back injury. He then pursued entrepreneurship, building a successful 18-year career in the printing and shipping industry. Mike and Gloria are active in their community; Gloria serves on various local boards and works as a realtor.
Mike entered public service in 2016, winning a City Council seat as a write-in candidate. By 2019, he became mayor, focusing on reducing government costs, cutting taxes, and supporting local businesses, especially during the pandemic. In his spare time, Mike enjoys family activities, photography, traveling, and outdoor pursuits like hunting and fishing on his family’s land.
Important Issues:
Low Taxes, Fiscal Responsibility: I am committed to ensuring that our city thrives economically while alleviating the tax burden on our residents. With the rising cost of everyday living, it’s more important than ever to prioritize fiscal responsibility.
City Infrastructure: The Blaine v. Lexington water lawsuit is a pivotal issue for our city. As the former mayor, I have years of in-depth knowledge of our water system and numerous closed-session meetings with our city council & staff. I am fully committed to protecting Lexington’s water rights and ensuring our residents receive high-quality water services.
Supporting our First Responders: My top priority is Keeping Lexington a safe place to live. Our police officers and firefighters are the backbone of our community, and I am fully committed to ensuring they have everything they need to do their jobs well.
Goals if Elected: Did not respond.
Endorsements:
Lexington Councilmember- Bobby Benson
Lexington Councilmember- Kim DeVries
Lexington Councilmember- Brandon Winge
Centennial School Board- Craig Johnson
Centennial School Board- Tom Knisely
Centennial School Board- Gloria Murphy
Lino Lakes Mayor- Rob Rafferty
Anoka County Commissioner- Jeff Reinert
Connect with Me:
Website: www.MurphyForLexington.com
Candidate Interview:
