Lowcountry Rep. steps down from seat after being absent for much of session
State Rep. Chris Murphy, R-Dorchester, is resigning from a seat he’s held since 2011.
Murphy, a former Judiciary Committee chairman and current member of the budget writing House Ways and Means Committee, resigned from office. His Dorchester County district will now need to hold a special election early next year.
Murphy has dealt with health and alcohol issues in the past and was noticeably absent during the latter part of this year’s legislative session.
He has been in state House of Representatives since 2011 and previously served on the Dorchester County Council from 2002-2010.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of District 98 and the great state of South Carolina,” Murphy wrote in his resignation letter. “I am deeply grateful to my constituents for their trust and support over the years. Representing District 98 in the State House has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. While this decision is bittersweet, my retirement will allow me to spend more time with my loved ones and to focus on my work outside of public office.”
A special election is expected to take place on Jan. 6, with a primary this Nov. 4, the South Carolina Election Commission said.
