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JAMES F. MURRAY, JR.

James F. Murray, Jr. (1919 - 1965) was Democratic New Jersey State Senator for Hudson County from 1954 -1958. He also served as a leading member of Jersey City's municipal government, first as President of the City's Board of Tax Commissioners and later as City Commissioner and Director of Revenue & Finance. Born in Jersey City, he was the only son of James F. Murray, Sr., a long-time political opponent of New Jersey political Boss, Mayor Frank Hague.

A Political Family

Three generations of the Murray family were active in Jersey City politics. Murray’s grandfather, Thomas F. Murray, served as Tax Assessment Commission under Republican Mayor Mark Fagan; whereas his granduncle, George J. Murray, a close friend and early supporter of Mayor Frank Hague, was City Poormaster for 12 years. But James F. Murray Jr. learned his political craft from his father, James F. Murray, Sr. An attorney and prominent local business leader, Murray Sr. spent over twenty years trying to unseat Frank Hague. He nearly succeeded in the 1929 municipal election. Murray Sr. headed the famous Fusion Ticket, which stands as the most serious electoral threat Hague himself ever faced.

Finally, in 1949 Murray, Sr. joined forces with defecting Hague lieutenant and downtown ward leader, John V. Kenny. Together they challanged Hague's machine by forming the Freedom Ticket. The Freedom Ticket defeated Hague's slate of candidates in a tumultuous municipal election, thus ending Hague's 35-year reign over Jersey City. Murray, Sr., who won with Kenny, became one of the five new City Commissioners. But Murray's pact with Mayor Kenny was short-lived. In 1950 Commissioner Murray defied the new boss by running his young son James F. Murray, Jr., an attorney and decorated World War 2 veteran, for Congress. Commissioner Murray was soon punished for his independence. Mayor Kenny illegally stripped him of his official powers, isolated him in City Hall and sought to humiliate him in the eyes of the public.

But Kenny's powerplay backfired. The Murray-Kenny feud lasted for two years, costing Kenny dearly in public opinion. Wanting to end his public battle with Murray before the 1952 municipal election, Kenny proposed a truce. Murray would be nominated to become Hudson County register, while his son was offered a run for the state senate. But before the deal could be consummated, Murray Sr. died on the eve of the 1952 election. His sudden death while still in office aroused massive public sympathy. In a shrewd maneouver, Kenny made a public act of contrition by naming the city's newest public school in honor of his political nemesis, James F. Murray. He also embraced Murray Jr., who then became his father's standard-bearer. The young Murray ran for the senate seat in 1953 and won impressively.

But it was not long before Senator Murray turned on Kenny. He used his position in the seante to frustrate the Boss, challenging him openly by throttling the flow of patronage from Democratic Governor Robert B. Meyner. Following his distinguished single term as state Senator, James F. Murray, Jr. became the leading figure in City Hall during the term of what would be the city's last commission government.

1957 Victory Movement

In 1957, Senator James F. Murray, Jr. led the "Victory" reform movement which produced a major upset in the Jersey City municipal election. In addition to Murray, the Victory Ticket comprised Thomas Gangemi, William McLaughlin, Charles S. Witkowski and August W. Heckman. Four Victory Ticket candidates were elected to the City Commission, sweeping aside all but one of John V. Kenny's City Hall incumbents. Ironically, Thomas Gangemi, who originally organized the opposition slate, failed to win. By polling 63,449 votes, Murray, who ran first in a field of ten candidates, was widely expected to become mayor. But Gangemi’s influence over the other Victory Commissioners led to Charles Witkowski being chosen instead.

Jersey City Commissioner

From 1957-1961 Murray was mayor of Jersey City in all but name. As Director of Revenue & Finance, he energetically pursued an array of visionary programs, promoting urban renewal and economic redevelopment. He launched the first municipal Bureau of Economic Development in the state to exploit the city's land assets and attract new industries to the city. Three industrial parks were created, including Liberty Industrial Park. During his time as Commissioner, the city’s Chamber of Commerce added more than 300 new companies to its roster. Under Murray’s direction new life was breathed into residential housing. Construction began on the St. John’s and Gregory Gardens middle-class housing developments. Murray also launched Country Village, a showcase scheme to bring suburbia to the city. Plans were conceived for a Fine Arts Center near the St John’s site, which resulted in the Five Corners library, the city’s first new library in 32 years. He was also the force behind building a new Ferris High School.

In 1960 Murray championed reform of the city's system of government. Along with fellow commissioner Bernard J. Berry, whom he backed for mayor in 1961, Murray spearheaded the Charter reform movement to scrap the commission form of government in favor of a mayor and city council. The Charter referendum passed, but Berry lost the 1961 mayoral election to Thomas Gangemi. After losing in 1957 Gangemi attached himself to Hudson County Boss John V. Kenny. Unable to sustain the Victory movement as a viable alternative to the Kenny machine, Murray left active politics at the end of his term of office. His final years were spent with the law firm of Murray, Nobeletti & Kenny in New York City. He died in early 1965 at the age of 45.

Career in Media and Journalism

In addition to politics, Murray was active in journalism and broadcast media as commentator and presenter. He moderated the ABC Radio Series “America’s Town Meeting of the Air” from 1953 to 1955 and frequently hosted other radio and TV programs, such as "Author Meets The Critics" and "People's Platform". Known for his oratorical skills, Murray was a sought-after speaker in various public affairs forums. He was also an accomplished journalist and writer, whose published works include Eugenio Pacelli: Pope Of Peace co-authored with Oscar Halecki and “An Interview with Franco”.

World War II Military Service

Murray had a distinguished military career during World War II. He served 53 months of active duty with the US Navy in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatre, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He participated in the invasion campaigns of Africa and Sicily. At Selaro and Anzio he was trapped behind enemy lines several times with naval intelligence teams and spotters. He earned four campaign stars and was awarded the Legion of Merit for "extreme bravery" while on "hazardous intelligence missions in Italy." In addition he received four other naval citations, one British naval citation as well as the Italian Republic's Bronze Medal of Valor for his activities with the partisans prior to the fall of Rome. He was also awarded the Lateran Cross by the Vatican.

In early 1948, Murray served as advisor to Under Secretary of State James Dunn in the London conference convened to draft peace treaties for Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Later that year he was appointed assistant naval advisor to then Secretary of State James F. Byrnes at the Paris Peace Conference. Murray was also an offical observer at the Nuremberg Trials.

Jesuit Educated

Like his father, Murray Jr. was the product of a Catholic Jesuit education. After graduating from St Peter's College in Jersey City, he attended Fordham Law School in New York receiving his law degree in 1942. In 1952 he earned an MA in European History from Fordham University. He practiced law as a member of the New York Bar specializing in international law. His final years with spent heading the firm of Murray, Nobeletti & Kenny in New York City.

The Murray Collection

There is an archive of Murray Family historical materials housed at the New Jersey Historical Society, under the “Murray Collection.” In addition, an extensive collection of period photographs are in family's possession. Included are original press photographs, many from the 1949 Freedom Ticket campaign. Some of these photographs were used in the article by Joseph M. Murray entitled “Bosses & Reformers: Jersey City Victory Movement of 1957” published in New Jersey History, Volume 103, Numbers 3-4 (Fall/Winter 1985).