State Representative Dave Murphy is a lifelong resident of the Fox Valley.  He was born in Appleton, Wisconsin and raised on a farm near what is now the Appleton Airport.  He graduated from Hortonville High School and attended the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley.

Prior to service in the Wisconsin State Legislature, Representative Murphy owned two fitness centers, one in Appleton and one in Green Bay.  He was also a partner in a feed and grain agribusiness. 

He was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012, where he served as the Vice Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.  He has served as the Chairman of that Committee since 2014.

Representative Murphy was a Founding Director of Free Speech for Campus, a 501(c)3 organization that brings together concerned citizens of Wisconsin to promote and protect free speech on our college campuses.

Representative Murphy is also a board member of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.  Members of the compact work to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of postsecondary education.

In early 2024, Representative Murphy was appointed to the newly-created Wisconsin-Ireland Trade Commission, a State entity that advances and promotes mutual economic interests between the State of Wisconsin and the Republic of Ireland.

In his community, Representative Murphy is a member of the Greenville Lions Club and Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He is married to his wife Lynn and has two children and three grandchildren.