Patty was born and raised in Bothell, Washington where she grew up with her parents and six siblings—including a twin sister. Her father managed a Main Street 5 and 10 cent store, where she worked growing up and first learned the value of strong work ethic. When Patty was a young teenager, her father—a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient—was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and in a few short years, his illness got so bad he could no longer work. Patty’s mother, who had stayed home to raise their family, had to take care of him while also working to support their family. She found some work, but it didn’t pay enough to support Patty and her six brothers and sisters—and a husband with growing medical bills. Thankfully, they lived in a country where the government didn’t just say “you’re on your own.”
Senator Murray believes that our nation’s Tribes are an integral part of our history, culture and future—especially in her home state of Washington. She is proud to be a voice in the U.S. Senate for Washington state’s Tribal governments and communities and works to make sure our nation lives up to its promises to support Tribal health care, education, natural resources, and more.
As the country reckons with our long history of systemic racism, Senator Murray is committed to making sure Congress listens to and priorities Tribal voices and interest in policymaking, and reflects on its part in the federal government’s historic violence and racial injustice specifically against Native Americans.