Full Biography for Barry MacMurray

Candidate for
State Representative; District 25

Barry MacMurray was born in Ocean City, New Jersey on February 24, 1949. Although interrupted by voluntary military service from 1969 to 1971, this Viet Nam Veteran spent the twenty-one years following high school graduation seeking his bachelor's degree.

While working full-time and going to school part-time, he finally achieved his goal in 1988, receiving a BA in Management from the University of Phoenix. Since graduation he has also attended classes in Conversational Spanish, Journalism, and Computer Programming at Phoenix College and Rio Salado Community College.

His intense interest in education,and the history and culture of the world's people, has led him on personal interest trips in four continents. He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Central America. He spent most of three weeks living on a farm in Australia in 1980; and before traveling to Brazil in 1981, he studied Portuguese (the national language) for six months with a private tutor. Last July he spent three weeks living with a family in Bangkok, Thailand. "As much as I've enjoyed my life and career," remarks Barry, "if I had to do it differently next time, I think I'd be a Cultural Anthropologist. The computer industry has provided many interesting challenges, but my travels around this country and throughout the world have given me a much greater appreciation of human diversity."

"My interest in politics and government probably has its roots in the strong sense of patriotism instilled by my family. All the women in my family, from my sisters to my grandmother, are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To become members, my grandmother had to document which of our ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War. Our family has been here for more than 300 years, and at least one of my family members has fought in every war since the American Revolution. I believe there are three ways to protect Democracy. In the military, I fought to protect it. As a private citizen I voted to protect it. Now, as a candidate for public office, I'm running to protect it."

After a successful 18-year management career with American Express, Barry left in 1995 to pursue personal interests. He's an active leader in a neighborhood community association, and for the last two years has been the co-organizer of a charity golf tournament benefiting the Children's Crisis Nursery. "One of the most important segments of our society," states Barry, "are our children. The Crisis Nursery is a place where mothers can go with their children when they need it the most. My volunteer experience with the community association has shown me how my management skills can benefit our community, so now I'd like to donate my skills and experience to the people of a larger community, the community of district 25, and the State of Arizona. With a State Representative's salary of only $15,000 a year, I'm certainly not doing it for the money." he reasons.

For more information about his candidacy, please visit the Barry MacMurray Election Website, or the non-partisan Project Vote Smart Website.

When you cast your vote for Barry, remember to fill in the arrow to the right of the write-in box, and don't forget; spelling counts!