Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray today announced that he will be resigning his position in government. Murray has been the state’s lieutenant governor since 2007. Before that, he served as the Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Murray announced his resignation today in a joint press conference with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Murray stated that he is leaving his position to take on the role of president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“This unique, new opportunity will allow me to continue to work on the economic and community development initiatives and ideas that I have worked on over 15 years in elective office,” said Murray.
Murray had announced in January that he did not intend to run for governor after Patrick’s term ended. Even so, he made it clear today that he had planned to serve out his term as lieutenant governor and that he initially rejected the Worcester offer “because the timing was too immediate.” He then reconsidered, and now believes that he can build “economic growth, job creation, and community development” in Massachusetts through the private sector.
Murray has posted his statement to his Facebook page, where he is receiving mostly well-wishes for his decision:
This post represents both an ending and a beginning.
I wanted to tell you directly about my decision to accept a new opportunity that will allow me to continue striving for the economic and community development ideals I have worked for over the past 15 years in public service. This unique new opportunity, however, means I must end my service as Lieutenant Governor of this great state.
In January, I wrote about the decision I made with my wife not to run for public office in 2014. I said at that time the next chapter of my life needed to be focused primarily on family. My wife Tammy and I are blessed with two active and beautiful daughters, Helen and Kati, who recently turned 8 and 7 years old. We wanted to take advantage of this moment in our lives, since childhood passes quickly, and this is an important time for our family.
When I made that decision, I expected to finish my term as Lieutenant Governor, working closely with Governor Patrick on the priorities we have established to help Massachusetts. Of course, I did begin to think about what the future would bring when my state service was over, however I was not pursuing any employment opportunities. Then, I was approached by the leadership of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce with an intriguing idea.
The chamber’s long-time capable President, Dick Kennedy, is retiring and the executive committee asked if I would be interested in leading the chamber, growing its mission and economic impact. This was not a post I had sought, and at first I dismissed the idea because the timing was too immediate. Then, as I gave the matter more thought and discussed it in depth with Tammy, I became increasingly interested about the unique opportunity it presents.
So much of what we have accomplished across the Commonwealth in the past six-plus years has been through public-private partnerships. I have always said that government can’t, and shouldn’t do it all, but through strategic public investments, directed by enlightened public and private leadership, we can foster the economic growth, job creation and community development that Massachusetts deserves. In my new role as President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, I will work for these same goals, on the private sector side of the equation.
The city of Worcester is the economic anchor of one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas of the country, not only Massachusetts. With nearly a million residents, 30,000 college students and a diversified economy, the greater Worcester region contributes enormously to the economic and cultural vitality of the Commonwealth and central New England. I look forward to helping the chamber, its membership, and the entire region build a brighter future.
This has been a very difficult, yet empowering decision. You and I have worked together in so many ways that have improved the quality of life in this Commonwealth. It has been an honor to serve as your Lieutenant Governor. At the same time, however, I know that change is the nature of life. And as I imagine how best to keep working on the issues that I am passionate about, while being close to home and more present in the lives of my wife and children, the chamber post is the perfect fit. So I intend to submit my resignation as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, effective at the end of the day on June 2, and will begin my new role as President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 3.
As I begin to close this chapter in my career, I especially want to thank my staff, past and present, who have worked alongside me to accomplish so many substantive economic policy and development initiatives across Massachusetts. The Bay State is a special place. I have loved learning about its history, its traditions, and meeting so many great people in every corner of this state while working on their behalf.
Most importantly I want to thank Governor Patrick. He has been a friend, mentor and partner. He has led the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through some of its most tumultuous moments in modern times. Whether it was dealing with the Great Recession, the many challenges thrown at us by Mother Nature or most recently the marathon bombing, the people of Massachusetts have a captain who is steady during the storm and is leading state through to better days.
Finally, to all my friends, I will be forever grateful for the support you have shown me over the years. I know that we will stay in touch and find ways to work together on important issues and initiatives for many years to come.
With my best regards,
Tim
