Robert Murrell

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Robert Murrell

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 13, 2021

Personal

Birthplace

New Orleans, La.

Profession

Software developer

Contact

Campaign website

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Robert Murrell (Democratic Party) (also known as Bob) ran for election to the New Orleans City Council to represent District A in Louisiana. He lost in the primary on November 13, 2021.

Murrell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Robert Murrell was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He pursued his undergraduate education at Tulane University and the University of Missouri, Columbia. Murell's career experience includes working as a software developer, materials manager, ATM repairman, pizza deliveryman, bookshop clerk, and a phlebotomy lab processor. He has been associated with the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition, Democratic Socialists of America New Orleans, Lakeview Civic Improvement Association, and the Industrial Workers of the World.

Elections

2021

See also: City elections in New Orleans, Louisiana (2021)

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for New Orleans City Council District A

Incumbent Joe Giarrusso III won election outright against Robert Murrell and Amy Misko in the primary for New Orleans City Council District A on November 13, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joe Giarrusso III (D)	76.4	12,848
		Robert Murrell (D)	16.5	2,770
		Amy Misko (L)	7.1	1,201

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,819
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Murrell's endorsements in the 2021 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Murrell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Murrell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Bob Murrell is a software developer, husband, dad, and comedian. Bob has been a member of the working class his entire life and understands the struggles of everyday people throughout New Orleans. Bob wants to fight for a habitable and prosperous city for all people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe we need to put people before profits by making housing a human right and protecting workers’ rights
• I believe in direct democracy, and will implement a participatory budget and expand the neighborhood participation plan - the people should be treated as primary stakeholders.
• I believe that climate change will make our city uninhabitable unless we make drastic changes to our budget and priorities - we need a sustainable economy that works for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Green New Deal, Medicare for All, dismantling white supremacy, cyclist safety, public libraries

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a member of the working class. I'm not a landlord or lawyer, I don't own property, nor have I ever made over 6 figures. Like half of District A prior to the pandemic, I’ve paid over 30% of my income on housing & utilities. My material conditions are closer to the median resident of District A than any other candidate.

I'm uniquely suited for this office with my experiences as a performer, comedy producer, and software tech lead. My leadership skills are rooted in practical problem solving and mediating between stakeholders and users. I've led teams in New Orleans and remotely around the world, and have worked within a variety of industries. I'm an active listener, and I'm not afraid to have uncomfortable or tough conversations that lead to amicable results.

I have over a decade of experience working in a variety of professional and amateur capacities as a scrum master, business analyst, project manager, and managing director. I've done everything from graphics to managing budgets. I'm a fast learner who does not need to be pigeonholed into one role. My creativity for solutions is a testament to my willpower for spreading joy and making New Orleans a better place.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

City Council's core responsibilities are passing the city budget, regulating Entergy and other utilities, zoning, and legislation (resolutions & ordinances).

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a janitor at a nearby school during a summer jobs program. I was there for 2 weeks when I was transferred to doing clerical work for the parish.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Dance Magic Dance" from Labrynth. I watched it recently with my 2 year old daughter while we've been evacuated from Hurricane Ida.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

New Orleans City Council is one of two municipal bodies that can regulate and set rates for electrical utilities. After Hurricane Ida, it's imperative that City Council properly regulate Entergy so that it does not continue to rake in profits while our power grid infrastructure collapses in tropical weather events.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Corrupt politicians have plenty of years of experience in government and politics and it does little to help the working class of New Orleans.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I believe having experience working with numerous stakeholders across sectors, as well as proactive communication with residents, students, and workers, is vital to a healthy democracy.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2021 Elections

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Candidate

New Orleans City Council District A

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