Republican state Senate candidate dies

Withdrew in June

A Republican candidate slated to challenge State Senator Kenny Yuko for his 25th district seat has died.

Bob Murphy, 72, died in his home July 10. Murphy, a lifelong Wickliffe resident, ran unopposed in the May primary election and was to face Senate Minority Leader Yuko in the November General Election.

Murphy withdrew from the race in early June for health reasons. The Cuyahoga and Lake County Republican parties’ chairmen and secretaries have until Aug. 13 to appoint his replacement in the race.

The 25th District includes Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County. It also includes Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Mayfield Heights, and part of Cleveland among other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

According to his obituary, Murphy was a born again evangelical Catholic, a talk show radio host on America News & Views and an Ohio Central Committeeman for the 25th Senatorial District.

He also owned R.A. Murphy Co. for 47 years.

He was heavily involved in Lake County politics and had previously ran for county treasurer and county commissioner as well as serving as a longtime precinct committeeman. Lake County Republican Party Chairman Dale Fellows spent a decade on the radio with Murphy.

“Bob was just a great American,” Fellows said. “He loved his family, he loved his God and he loved his Irish heritage. His passion for the country was amazing.”

Murphy