A somber return for defeated Murphy
For Stephen J. Murphy, Sept. 15 was supposed to be a day marked with celebration that would represent a new beginning. It was the day after the election that Murphy hoped would make him Suffolk County sheriff, a day when he could pack up and move on.
Instead, Murphy entered the council chambers, as he does every Wednesday, as a city councilor, not a sheriff.
As he walked into the chamber, people in the room stiffened, waiting for a glimpse of the man who hours earlier conceded to Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral. He looked tired as he approached the other councilors, several of whom had backed Cabral.
''It was a very somber mood," said Councilor Paul J. Scapicchio, who backed Cabral in the weeks leading up to the primary. ''No one wants to see a colleague lose in an election."
As Murphy sat down, Scapicchio placed his hand on his back and leaned over to ask him a question. Murphy looked straight ahead, nodded, smiled, and responded, ''Sure." Scapicchio would not elaborate on what was said. Minutes earlier, Councilor Maureen E. Feeney, one of Murphy's biggest supporters, greeted Murphy with a hug.
The meeting lasted about 90 minutes, as the 13-member council discussed a new location for the city archives, street lights, and access to polling places for disabled voters. An hour or so after the meeting, at her West Roxbury campaign headquarters, Cabral was holding a celebratory press conference to describe how she defeated Murphy, a seasoned politician who has been on the City Council for seven years.
Murphy socialized with Councilor Michael P. Ross, Council President Michael F. Flaherty, and Feeney during the meeting, but refused to talk to a reporter about the race. After the meeting, he exited with Feeney, who said later that Murphy told her he was expecting to feel awful after Tuesday's loss, but instead felt grateful for the people who came out in support of him.
''I know he was tremendously surprised with the election," she said. ''I think he was very gracious and professional, I am very proud of him for that."
Four of the councilors supported Murphy, four backed Cabral, and four remained neutral. But several said yesterday that they are eager to move forward, and they downplayed the loss, characterizing it as a side effect of pursuing a career in politics.
''I think he handled it today with class," said Councilor John M. Tobin Jr., who remained neutral during the race. ''It's not the end of the world. He lost a political race; life goes on. I think he walked in with dignity. He gave it his shot, and he came up short."
Despite the loss, Tobin said he believes that Murphy will finish out his term on the council. After that, Tobin said, it's up to Murphy.
Murphy would not discuss the election yesterday or future plans.
Even Cabral's most outspoken supporters on the council said the race will not interfere with city business. ''I think the race is over,," said Councilor Chuck Turner who backed Cabral. ''We put the race out of our minds, and now the focus is on working, on dealing with business of the council." 