Former Senator Takes GOP Staff Job

YORKTOWN, NY — After being voted out of office in November, former Republican State Senator Terrence Murphy is back on the state payroll. Murphy will be getting $40,000 a year as Senate Republican regional director for the Hudson Valley.

He was described by a Senate Republican spokesman as "a small businessman who will be counseling Senate Republicans on issues important to the Hudson Valley," MidHudsonNews.com said.

Murphy, a Yorktown resident and chiropractor, lost in November to Pete Harckham, a Democrat from Lewisboro, to represent the 40th Senate District.

The part-time job began Jan. 1, according to state payroll documents, and will include health benefits, the Journal News reported.

Murphy's new job will require him to work 30 hours a week.

Harckham said the appointment of a former senate to a staff position was unusual, calling it a "political ploy," MidHudsonNews.com said.

Harckham's district — or Murphy's old one — is comprised of parts of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, including Beekman and Pawling in Dutchess; Brewster, Carmel, Patterson and Southeast in Putnam; and Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers and Yorktown in Westchester.

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Photo caption: Terrence Murphy. Photo credit: Contributed.