ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota House staff member who began as a chamber page 36 years ago is on the verge of becoming its chief clerk.
Patrick Murphy will be nominated to be the House's top parliamentary adviser when the Legislature convenes in January. It's an instrumental and highly visible position.
House Speaker-designate Kurt Daudt says Murphy is "a natural choice" to succeed retiring chief clerk Albin Mathiowetz. Daudt said Wednesday he doesn't anticipate Murphy facing opposition. Lawmakers elect the nonpartisan clerk.
Murphy would be only the third person to hold the post since 1967. The 59-year-old has been around the Minnesota House since signing on as a page in 1978. He moved up to editor of the House Journal by 1981 and climbed to be the first assistant chief clerk in 2005.
