Michael Murphy elected Milwaukee Common Council President

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Alderman Michael Murphy was elected the new president of the Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday morning, February 11th.

Murphy issued the following statement after his election:

I deeply appreciate and am greatly humbled by the trust and confidence entrusted in me by my colleagues. Today they elected me to serve as Common Council President, and in doing so gave me great responsibility not only in leading an esteemed body that I have proudly served for some 25 years, but also in working to improve our great city as a whole.

As I told my colleagues and those gathered this morning in the Council Chamber, like any great city we have challenges. But in spite of the challenges, I know working together we can make a positive difference in the lives of our neighborhoods and our residents.

I am committed to accountability and transparency in all Council matters, and I will challenge my colleagues – and myself – to think boldly and to act with courage as we address the pressing and important business of the people of Milwaukee.


The position opened up because Willie Hines,  who has served as Milwaukee’s 15th District Alderman since 1996 and Council president since 2004, announced on Friday, January 31st that he was resigning his seat on the Council effective Saturday, February 1st.

Alderman Hines has taken a position at the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.