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<\/p>\nEighteen polling places in Collin County will be open starting Monday, April 20, for the city of Murphy\u2019s general election on Saturday, May 2.<\/p>\n
Scott Bradley is seeking reelection and is unopposed for mayor. There are two candidates are running for Place 3 and four candidates are seeking the Place 5 seat on council.<\/p>\n
Murphy voters will also be asked whether to reauthorize one-fourth of 1% of local sales and use tax receipts for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.<\/p>\n
Voting locations include the Homer and Marie Adams Room of the Murphy Community Center, 205 N. Murphy Road.<\/p>\n
However, registered voters may cast early ballots at any of the 17 other county locations open before Election Day.<\/p>\n
The early voting centers will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20; Wednesday, April 22; Thursday, April 23; Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25.<\/p>\n
They will also be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28.<\/p>\n
Election Day balloting is also 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.<\/p>\n
Place 3 \u2013 Andrew Chase<\/p>\n
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The following council candidates have submitted a brief biography to the Murphy Monitor and are listed in the same order as the city\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
As a resident of Murphy for more than 50 years, Chase has seen the city grow tremendously. And, after serving two terms on the Murphy City Council, Chase says there is a lot to be dealt with \u2014 specifically improving traffic flow, roads and sidewalks, lighting and communications.<\/p>\n
Chase said he was an Army NCO in charge of a platoon, holds two degrees from the University of North Texas and taught high school social studies and political science for 40 years. He has also been active in city government.<\/p>\n
\u201cI served two terms each on the Murphy Board of Adjustments and Ethics committees,\u201d he said. \u201cAlso, the past six years of serving on the Murphy City Council has given me valuable experience in dealing with city issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chase said that as the city and surrounding areas grow, traffic has become a major issue. And with the introduction of the H-E-B at FM 544 and McCreary Road, roads will become more congested.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditional turn lanes and synchronized traffic lights should be considered,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chase added that the city should pursue more diverse businesses to ensure ongoing revenue since Murphy has become landlocked.<\/p>\n
Because of his tenure in Place 3 and the longevity of his residency in Murphy, Chase said he could bring valued background and insights into how the city has and can grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe my ability to be open-minded and respectful of diversity will help guide the direction of the council in making decisions that will benefit the people of Murphy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Place 3 \u2013 Debbie Ison<\/p>\n
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Murphy must prepare its aging infrastructure and city services for the growth happening all around it, says Ison, a candidate for Place 3 on the Murphy City Council.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur roads, facilities, and public safety resources were built for a much smaller community, and we\u2019re now feeling the strain,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe the city needs proactive, long\u2011term planning to ensure we maintain the high quality of life residents expect staying ahead of regional growth pressures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ison, who studied theater arts at the former North Texas State University, said her 25 years of experience in the banking industry has given her a steady, people\u2011focused leadership style helping large organizations solve problems and support their teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m collaborative, pragmatic, calm under pressure, and I know how to bring diverse stakeholders together to get things done,\u201d she said. \u201cI listen carefully, ask the right questions, and focus on practical solutions that improve the experience for the people we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
A 20-year resident of Murphy, Ison said she cares deeply about protecting the community\u2019s long\u2011term stability and quality of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand the importance of strong infrastructure, responsible budgeting and supporting our first responders,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m committed to practical, steady leadership that keeps Murphy safe, well\u2011maintained and prepared for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said her biggest contribution would be bringing a practical, solutions\u2011driven approach to the city\u2019s long\u2011term planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comfortable digging into details, asking tough questions and making decisions that balance today\u2019s needs with tomorrow\u2019s impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Place 5 \u2013 Laura Deel<\/p>\n
Traffic is Murphy\u2019s biggest challenge \u2014 impacting safety, commute times and quality of life, says Councilmember Deel.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring my current term, we\u2019ve taken action \u2014 securing funding to reconstruct McMillen Road, making zoning decisions that bring services closer to residents and improving trail connections, she said.<\/p>\n
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Deel also said the city\u2019s new master plan preserves flexibility for future transit. So, she would like to continue serving in council\u2019s Place 5 to complete those projects.<\/p>\n
The city needs to stay proactive through smart planning, continued investment in aging infrastructure and creative solutions that improve traffic flow and connectivity, Deel said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy thinking ahead, we can manage growth while protecting the quality of life that makes Murphy such a great place to live,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Deel, a former senior manager of product development, holds bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in computer science from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before her election to council in 2023, she served six years on the Board of Adjustment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI built my career at Cisco Systems serving in leadership roles where I focused on building strong relationships, empowering teams, solving complex problems and communicating clearly,\u201d she said. \u201cI bring those same skills to the council \u2014 working with city staff, fellow council members and residents. I take the time to listen, understand every perspective and make thoughtful, decisive choices.\u201d<\/p>\n
Place 5 \u2013 Manoj Varghese<\/p>\n
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As a father raising three boys in Murphy the past 17 years, Varghese says he has seen the challenges faced by the city \u201cfrom rising costs and traffic to zoning mandates that threaten our original values.\u201d<\/p>\n
Varghese said he is running for Place 5 on the City Council to combine professional financial discipline with \u201ca deep-rooted commitment to our community\u2019s \u2018boutique\u2019 character.\u201d<\/p>\n
With degrees in electronics and computer engineering, Varghese said he currently leads a cybersecurity solutions team for a large bank.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis professional experience has instilled in me the analytical rigor and financial discipline necessary to manage complex systems and large-scale budgets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Varghese said his campaign platform has three pillars: fiscal responsibility, sustainable growth and community advocacy.<\/p>\n
He said he would treat taxpayer dollars as a sacred trust and invest in durable infrastructure that avoids short-term compromises, ensuring Murphy remains affordable, accessible and high-quality for the next generation.<\/p>\n
Varghese said the most pressing issue facing Murphy is ensuring the city\u2019s aging population can continue to live independently and with dignity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile \u2018Aging-in-Place\u2019 is a noble goal, it remains unfulfilled without last-mile transportation support,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must honor those who built the Murphy Dream decades ago by ensuring they remain connected to our city\u2019s services and community life.<\/p>\n
Place 5 \u2013 Kevin Kelley<\/p>\n
Kelley says his professional background in security leadership and emergency preparedness has given him experience evaluating risk, planning for growth and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to solve complex problems.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMurphy is growing, and it is important that infrastructure, traffic management, and public safety resources keep pace while protecting the character of our community,\u201d said Kelley, who is seeking Murphy City Council Place 5 in the Saturday, May 2, general election.<\/p>\n
Kelley said he earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Oklahoma and served 20 years with the Dallas Police Department in community affairs, crime scene investigations, intelligence and the neighborhood policing unit. He also managed a volunteer group and served as liaison to the Dallas council.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese roles gave me valuable experience working with residents, elected officials, multiple city services, and public safety partners,\u201d he said. Kelley said he now works in executive leadership overseeing emergency preparedness and security operations for property management across Texas for a large commercial real estate company.<\/p>\n
Kelley, who grew up in Texas, said he wants to serve on the Murphy council because he cares deeply about the community where he has lived for more than 14 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and strong community engagement will be essential to address traffic congestion, maintain city services and ensure Murphy continues to be a great place for families to live and thrive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Place 5 \u2013 Sarah Fincanon<\/p>\n
Fincanon says it\u2019s critical that Murphy\u2019s remaining opportunities for growth are developed thoughtfully and with the best interest of residents in mind.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI am committed to ensuring that these decisions reflect the values, needs and long-term vision of our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Fincanon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of North Texas and teaches science, English and special education at Richardson High School.<\/p>\n
She served previously in Place 5 and said she is prepared not only to serve, but to question the status quo and advocate for meaningful progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe knowledge and insight I gained during my time in office allow me to step in without a learning curve and immediately begin working for our residents,\u201d Fincanon said.<\/p>\n
One of the most pressing issues facing the city is the gradual erosion of the strong sense of community that once defined Murphy, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is essential that we preserve and strengthen the neighborhoods, values and quality of life that drew so many of us to Murphy in the first place,\u201d Fincanon said.<\/p>\n
She said she would bring a willingness to speak up and engage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t stay silent when important questions need to be asked or when I have a differing perspective,\u201d she said. \u201cOpen discussion leads to better decisions, and I am committed to making sure every issue is fully considered.\u201d<\/p>\n