Tara Murray

Tara Murray was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She earned a high school diploma from Ritenour High School, a bachelor's degree from Northeast Missouri State University in 1993, and a graduate degree from Truman State University in 1995. Her career experience includes working as a teacher.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tara Murray is from St. John, part of North County.

after graduating from Ritenour High School in 1989, Tara attended Northeast Missouri State University, now known as Truman University. Tara received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Elementary Education. Tara returned to her alma mater and has been teaching middle school students for the almost 30 years in the Ritenour School District. She currently is teaching while running for public office.

Tara has served as an NEA union representative for 25 years and is a member of Tri-County Labor and St. Charles Democratic Central Committee.

This will be her first public office but not her first time at public service. Some of the most fulfilling experiences have been volunteering at a food pantry and delivering "meals on wheels" Tara has been a campaign volunteer off and on 45 years, and was protesting unfair treatment of teachers since she was born. Literally, her mother, teacher also, was pregnant when she was "picketing" at a local high school.

Tara currently lives in St. Peters, with her husband Mike, and two dogs Izzy and Luca. Tara has two adult sons, and three adult "bonus" daughters and became a grandmother earlier in 2024.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have been a public school teacher for 30 years in the Ritenour School District. I know what public schools are and what they are not. I will teach those in Jefferson City who are trying to dismantle public school and denigrate public school teachers, what our students need and do not need.

I will ensure all public money go to public schools and they be fully funded. I will expand our universal K-12 programs to include early childhood education. I will push for free breakfast and lunch to all students and legislate for a 5 day school week. To deal with the teacher shortage I want to create programs that incentivize the teaching profession and attract more persons of color and those from rural and urban areas.All persons have the right to bodily autonomy. Simply put, the government can not make decisions for any person's healthcare decisions. We must restore reproductive rights and freedoms and access to full reproductive healthcare, as well as gender-affirming healthcare, to all Missourians.

I will protect the repeal of the abortion ban after the people of Missouri have had the right to vote on it and also protect the initiative process and work to ensure no decisions made by the initiative process and be overturned.

I will support, advocate for, cosponsor, and/or submit legislation to bring funding back to Planned Parenthood.Missourians should be able to afford a place to live, food to eat, and the right to not only live their lives but also to thrive in them in Missouri. They should also be able to stop working when they get older and still have all of the above.

Unions make sure all workers have rights. Here in Missouri, our unions fight for better worker pay, better benefits, and safer conditions. I will oppose any Right to Work legislation.

LGBTQ+ must have the right against discrimination based on their sexual orientation or identity. The Missouri Non-Discrimination Act must be passed.

Persons of Color in Missouri need to be seen and heard. Not only seen and heard, they also need action taken to remedy the disparities between whites and non-whites.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Abortion is healthcare

Protect Public Schools

Protect Reproductive Rights

Protect Unions

Protect LGBTQ and Persons of Color

Protect Children from Gun Violence

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Elizabeth Warren is my first thought, really my mother was my first thought and since she and Elizabeth Warren have a lot in common, I will tell you about Cathy. She always knows the right thing to say and the right thing to do in every situation and if she doesn't she has such enthusiasm for everything that you would never think that she could possibly be wrong. My mother was a dedicated educator for over 25 years. Her commitment to Ritenour was not just the school but the community and the students. She, at one time, was the President of every club in the area, even the Ritenour Alumni Association and she didn't go to school there. My mom genuinely cared for her students and believed they would all make the right choice. They knew she believed in them, even when they failed.

"Your mother is a saint" Parents, former students, my friends, community members, say this a lot. My mother takes care of and advocates for those that others would rather ignore.

She has high expectations, but always kindness backing those up. She is leader, a problem solver and is unwavering in her passion to serve others.

I hope that I can be half the person she is as I try to follow her footsteps of leadership, service, enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

WEST WING.

Lead like Jed

Advise like Leo

Think like Josh

Speak like C.J.

Argue like Toby

Write like Sam

Care like Donna

Love like Abby

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Waitress at Chuck-a-Burger- if you know then you know. I spent two summers during college. The one on St. Charles Rock Road is still open by the way. Go get a bbq chuck with cheese, you won't regret it.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

September by Earth, Wind and Fire is always in my head. You have to feel upbeat and want to dance when this song is on, no matter what, at least I do.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

These last few months, I have heard story after story about one issue or another. Three come to mind. An older woman pacing on her front porch about how she, as a young woman marched and protested, so that her generation could have rights and now as a mother and grandmother, she has to fight it all over again. She said what most are thinking- "I'm getting to old for this (you know what)! Then she said she would vote for me.

Just the other day an older gentleman told me a story. When he was a young kid maybe 8-9, he and his brother, father and pregnant stepmother were driving along Route 66. She had to use the bathroom. He told me how his dad past two gas stations, "at least" he said. A few minutes later, his dad pulled over and his stepmother got out. He asked his dad we he didn't stop at any of the gas stations, and his dad didn't say anything-he had to watch his pregnant wife climb down a ravine, through a barbwire fence to relieve herself. Then the gentleman said "we are not just going back, we're going backward and HELL if I am doing that". He then thanked me for running and he was for sure going to vote for me.

I went to a door today to talk one of my "undecided" voters into a "strong suport". Young woman late 20's. I told her she was marked "undecided" and asked her how I could convince her to vote for me. She said, " that person got it wrong, I'm all the way blue, I am voting for you".

These stories remind me of the huge responsibility I have and also the wonderful possibilities. Time to make changes and make sure we don't go back but also excited for the future as more and more young people are registering to vote, and the "I'm not into politics" are getting in to politics and the mobilization of a diversity of people to "DO SOMETHING"

Tell us your favorite joke.

Do you know what a quarter is? 50 Cent half-brother. I wrote that joke myself. I am a middle school math teacher so I get to use it a lot.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri- Local 2665, Missouri State Council of Firefighters, Missouri NEA, Tri- County Labor, AFL-CIO Cope, Abortion Action MO, Missouri/Kansas SEIU State Council, Sierra Club, PROMO PAC and a B from the NAACP report card