Jason Murphy probably considers himself an idealist, but he is also a realist.
While working at Saint Louis University as a philosophy and ethics professor, Murphy is running on the Green Party ticket for city License Collector.
“I’m not going to win,” Murphy said. However, if he can receive five percent of the city vote, and his party receives two percent statewide, it will be a major victory for the party.
“Next election, we will receive permanent ballot status if we get these numbers,” Murphy said.
His opponent is incumbent Democrat, Gregory Daly, a member of what Murphy considers the old St. Louis political machine.
“This is about building a progressive alternative to the machine politics that have held the city hostage,” Murphy said on the Missouri Green Party Web site.
His campaign is based on a variety of issues, the main being his and his party’s complaint with the Democratic Party. However, there are other issues he is addressing, such as police violence, a living wage and public funding for a new ballpark.
He is also a major supporter of a movement that would promote instant runoffs in elections. The concept is that instead of someone winning an election without 50 percent of the vote, a runoff would be held in order to allow a candidate to genuinely represent a majority of voters.
His involvement with the Green Party began two years ago, after seeing what the group could accomplish after working to shut down Tenant’s medical waste incinerator at SLU hospital.
“What got me involved was their level of contribution in the community,” Murphy said
Murphy had previously been an active member of the Democratic Party in Arkansas. However, he became frustrated when he felt the party began to move closer to center and take more leftist voters for granted.
“I saw progressives were in an abusive relationship with the Democratic Party,” Murphy said.
As a member of the Green Party, he is often confronted by people who think that he and his party are out to be spoilers for Democrats.
“My intention is not to be a spoiler in the election,” Murphy said. “We want our message to be heard, but know Democrats will not give in.”
He was quick to point out though that not all Green Party members are former Democrats. Murphy claims that many Republicans have also joined ranks with Green members.
There will be a meeting at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of October at the Genesis House in the University City Loop, for anybody interested in hearing what they have to say.
