Mike
Murphy
Republican candidate for California's 27th Assembly District; former two-term Mayor of Merced
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 31
Background
Mike Murphy is the Republican candidate for California's 27th Assembly District in the November 3, 2026 general election. The seat is open, as incumbent Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria is running for state Senate, making Murphy a challenger rather than an incumbent. 11819
Murphy grew up in Merced, California, attending local public schools including Golden Valley High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Georgetown University. 1214
His legal career began in Silicon Valley representing technology companies before he opened a downtown Merced law practice focused on small business transactions. He is also identified as a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum. 1124
Murphy served on the Merced City Council from 2011 to 2020, including two terms as mayor. In 2020, UC Merced named him a Chancellor's Medal recipient. He announced his Assembly candidacy in early 2025. 1413
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- State Assembly · District 27, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- mikemurphy4assembly.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsNewsBreak covers Murphy's local profile and District 27 race
A NewsBreak item identified Murphy as a Merced native running for the open Assembly District 27 seat, describing his local profile. No specific policy positions, fundraising figures, or endorsements were detailed in the accessible material.
Mike Murphy talks about District 27 State Assembly race, local support - NewsBreak · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsMurphy listed in 99.5 KKLA midterm voter guide for Assembly District 27
A midterm voting guide published by 99.5 KKLA listed Mike Murphy as the candidate for Assembly District 27. The listing does not constitute an endorsement by the station.
Jen's Midterm Voting Guide | 99.5 KKLA - Los Angeles, CA · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsCAMTB legislative questionnaire lists Murphy as AD-27 Republican candidate; no response received
The California Mountain Biking Coalition's 2026 legislative questionnaire listed Mike Murphy as the Republican candidate for Assembly District 27 and noted that no response was received from him.
CAMTB 2026 Legislative Recreation Questionnaire · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsPOLITICO describes Murphy vs. Pacheco as competitive open-seat race in AD-27
POLITICO reported that former Merced mayor Mike Murphy (R) is running against Democrat Brian Pacheco for the Assembly District 27 seat being vacated by Esmeralda Soria. The district voted for Donald Trump by nearly three points in 2024, making it a swing seat.
The fight for California's legislative swing seats - POLITICO · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Nicole Silveria (Merced County District Attorney) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Kelly Smith (Mayor of Chowchilla) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Fresno City Firefighters, IAFF Local 202 unionListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Vern Warnke (Merced County Sheriff) officialListed on campaign endorsement page; also noted by Initiate Justice Action district guide. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Cece Gallegos (Mayor of Madera) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- California Professional Firefighters unionListed on campaign endorsement page; independently noted by CalMatters voter guide. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Rob Poythress (County Supervisor) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Katy Reed (Mayor of Dos Palos) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- CAL FIRE Local 2881 unionListed on campaign endorsement page; independently noted by CalMatters voter guide. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Shannon Grove (State Senator) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Darin McDaniel (County Supervisor) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Ernie Ochoa (Merced College Trustee) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Merced Police Officers Association unionListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Heath Flora (Assemblymember) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Lloyd Pareira (County Supervisor) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Gurpal Samra (Livingston Councilmember) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Merced County Law Enforcement Sergeants Association unionListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- David Tangipa (Assemblymember) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Mike Nelson (Mayor of Atwater) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Anthony Cannella (former State Senator) officialFormer official; listed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Merced County Farm Bureau organizationListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Ali Macedo (California Republican Assembly Leader) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Mike Amabile (Mayor of Los Banos) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- California Republican Party organizationListed on CAGOP endorsements page for Assembly District 27. cagop.org
- Juan Alanis (Assemblymember) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Nathan Vosburg (Mayor of Coalinga) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Rodrigo Espinoza (former Merced County Supervisor) officialFormer official; listed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Central Valley Leadership Roundtable organizationListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- David Rogers (County Supervisor) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- Sally Moreno (Madera County District Attorney) officialListed on campaign endorsement page. mikemurphy4assembly.com
- California Association of Highway Patrolmen unionListed on campaign endorsement page; independently noted by CalMatters voter guide. mikemurphy4assembly.com
Sources 9
- [1] Mike Murphy talks about District 27 State Assembly race, local support - NewsBreak(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Jen's Midterm Voting Guide | 99.5 KKLA - Los Angeles, CA(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Mike Murphy For Assembly(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] CAMTB 2026 Legislative Recreation Questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] The fight for California's legislative swing seats - POLITICO(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Murphy pursues golden opportunity to take a stand for residents in ...(opens in a new tab) May 8, 2026
- [8] WATCH | Mike Murphy and Japjeet Singh Uppal talk High Speed Rail, immigration and more in 27th Assembly District debate(opens in a new tab) May 1, 2026
- [9] CAGOP Endorsements - California Republican Party(opens in a new tab) Apr 29, 2026