Tom Murray (politician) - Since 1991

Since 1991

Murray was found guilty of impersonating a police officer in 1992, when a court determined he had flashed his police commissioner's badge to a taxi driver while ordering her to leave an area that was blocking his car (Spectator, 22 July 1992). The conviction was later overturned on a technicality (Spectator, 23 January 1993). Murray denied the accusation, and described the result as a vindication of his position.

He attempted to return to council in 1994 and 1997, but was defeated both times. In 2002, he appeared at a campaign rally in support of Ernie Eves's bid to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (Spectator, 22 February 2002).

Murray launched a bid to become mayor of Hamilton in 2003, emphasizing infrastructure and "law and order" issues. He argued that he would cut subsidies to professional sports teams in order to pay for the city's police and firefighters, and supported construction of the Red Hill Creek Expressway (Spectator, 3 May and 7 November 2003). Some considered him a spoiler candidate, and argued that he would take support away from right-leaning candidate Larry Di Ianni (Spectator, 29 October 2003). Late in the campaign, Murray told the media that a Di Ianni supporter had offered him financial support if he would withdraw from the contest and run for council instead (Spectator, 1 November 2003).

Murray was fifty years old during his mayoral campaign. He finished well behind frontrunners Di Ianni and David Christopherson, placing fifth and receiving just over two percent.