Eighteen polling places in Collin County will be open starting Monday, April 20, for the city of Murphy’s general election on Saturday, May 2.

Scott Bradley is seeking reelection and is unopposed for mayor. There are two candidates are running for Place 3 and four candidates are seeking the Place 5 seat on council.

Murphy voters will also be asked whether to reauthorize one-fourth of 1% of local sales and use tax receipts for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.

Voting locations include the Homer and Marie Adams Room of the Murphy Community Center, 205 N. Murphy Road.

However, registered voters may cast early ballots at any of the 17 other county locations open before Election Day.

The early voting centers will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20; Wednesday, April 22; Thursday, April 23; Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25.

They will also be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28.

Election Day balloting is also 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.

Place 3 – Andrew Chase

The following council candidates have submitted a brief biography to the Murphy Monitor and are listed in the same order as the city’s website.

As a resident of Murphy for more than 50 years, Chase has seen the city grow tremendously. And, after serving two terms on the Murphy City Council, Chase says there is a lot to be dealt with — specifically improving traffic flow, roads and sidewalks, lighting and communications.

Chase said he was an Army NCO in charge of a platoon, holds two degrees from the University of North Texas and taught high school social studies and political science for 40 years. He has also been active in city government.

“I served two terms each on the Murphy Board of Adjustments and Ethics committees,” he said. “Also, the past six years of serving on the Murphy City Council has given me valuable experience in dealing with city issues.”

Chase said that as the city and surrounding areas grow, traffic has become a major issue. And with the introduction of the H-E-B at FM 544 and McCreary Road, roads will become more congested.

“Additional turn lanes and synchronized traffic lights should be considered,” he said. 

Chase added that the city should pursue more diverse businesses to ensure ongoing revenue since Murphy has become landlocked.

Because of his tenure in Place 3 and the longevity of his residency in Murphy, Chase said he could bring valued background and insights into how the city has and can grow.

“I believe my ability to be open-minded and respectful of diversity will help guide the direction of the council in making decisions that will benefit the people of Murphy,” he said.

Place 3 – Debbie Ison

Murphy must prepare its aging infrastructure and city services for the growth happening all around it, says Ison, a candidate for Place 3 on the Murphy City Council.

“Our roads, facilities, and public safety resources were built for a much smaller community, and we’re now feeling the strain,” she said. “I believe the city needs proactive, long‑term planning to ensure we maintain the high quality of life residents expect staying ahead of regional growth pressures.”

Ison, who studied theater arts at the former North Texas State University, said her 25 years of experience in the banking industry has given her a steady, people‑focused leadership style helping large organizations solve problems and support their teams.

“I’m collaborative, pragmatic, calm under pressure, and I know how to bring diverse stakeholders together to get things done,” she said. “I listen carefully, ask the right questions, and focus on practical solutions that improve the experience for the people we serve.”

A 20-year resident of Murphy, Ison said she cares deeply about protecting the community’s long‑term stability and quality of life.

“I understand the importance of strong infrastructure, responsible budgeting and supporting our first responders,” she said. “I’m committed to practical, steady leadership that keeps Murphy safe, well‑maintained and prepared for the future.”

She said her biggest contribution would be bringing a practical, solutions‑driven approach to the city’s long‑term planning.

“I’m comfortable digging into details, asking tough questions and making decisions that balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s impact.”

Place 5 – Laura Deel

Traffic is Murphy’s biggest challenge — impacting safety, commute times and quality of life, says Councilmember Deel.

“During my current term, we’ve taken action — securing funding to reconstruct McMillen Road, making zoning decisions that bring services closer to residents and improving trail connections, she said.

Deel also said the city’s new master plan preserves flexibility for future transit. So, she would like to continue serving in council’s Place 5 to complete those projects.

The city needs to stay proactive through smart planning, continued investment in aging infrastructure and creative solutions that improve traffic flow and connectivity, Deel said. 

“By thinking ahead, we can manage growth while protecting the quality of life that makes Murphy such a great place to live,” she said.

Deel, a former senior manager of product development, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before her election to council in 2023, she served six years on the Board of Adjustment.

“I built my career at Cisco Systems serving in leadership roles where I focused on building strong relationships, empowering teams, solving complex problems and communicating clearly,” she said. “I bring those same skills to the council — working with city staff, fellow council members and residents. I take the time to listen, understand every perspective and make thoughtful, decisive choices.”

Place 5 – Manoj Varghese

As a father raising three boys in Murphy the past 17 years, Varghese says he has seen the challenges faced by the city “from rising costs and traffic to zoning mandates that threaten our original values.”

Varghese said he is running for Place 5 on the City Council to combine professional financial discipline with “a deep-rooted commitment to our community’s ‘boutique’ character.”

With degrees in electronics and computer engineering, Varghese said he currently leads a cybersecurity solutions team for a large bank.

“This professional experience has instilled in me the analytical rigor and financial discipline necessary to manage complex systems and large-scale budgets,” he said.

Varghese said his campaign platform has three pillars: fiscal responsibility, sustainable growth and community advocacy.

He said he would treat taxpayer dollars as a sacred trust and invest in durable infrastructure that avoids short-term compromises, ensuring Murphy remains affordable, accessible and high-quality for the next generation.

Varghese said the most pressing issue facing Murphy is ensuring the city’s aging population can continue to live independently and with dignity.

“While ‘Aging-in-Place’ is a noble goal, it remains unfulfilled without last-mile transportation support,” he said. “We must honor those who built the Murphy Dream decades ago by ensuring they remain connected to our city’s services and community life.

Place 5 – Kevin Kelley

Kelley says his professional background in security leadership and emergency preparedness has given him experience evaluating risk, planning for growth and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to solve complex problems.

“Murphy is growing, and it is important that infrastructure, traffic management, and public safety resources keep pace while protecting the character of our community,” said Kelley, who is seeking Murphy City Council Place 5 in the Saturday, May 2, general election.

Kelley said he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and served 20 years with the Dallas Police Department in community affairs, crime scene investigations, intelligence and the neighborhood policing unit. He also managed a volunteer group and served as liaison to the Dallas council.

“These roles gave me valuable experience working with residents, elected officials, multiple city services, and public safety partners,” he said. Kelley said he now works in executive leadership overseeing emergency preparedness and security operations for property management across Texas for a large commercial real estate company.

Kelley, who grew up in Texas, said he wants to serve on the Murphy council because he cares deeply about the community where he has lived for more than 14 years.

“Thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and strong community engagement will be essential to address traffic congestion, maintain city services and ensure Murphy continues to be a great place for families to live and thrive,” he said.

Place 5 – Sarah Fincanon

Fincanon says it’s critical that Murphy’s remaining opportunities for growth are developed thoughtfully and with the best interest of residents in mind.

“I am committed to ensuring that these decisions reflect the values, needs and long-term vision of our community,” she said.

Fincanon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of North Texas and teaches science, English and special education at Richardson High School.

She served previously in Place 5 and said she is prepared not only to serve, but to question the status quo and advocate for meaningful progress.

“The knowledge and insight I gained during my time in office allow me to step in without a learning curve and immediately begin working for our residents,” Fincanon said.

One of the most pressing issues facing the city is the gradual erosion of the strong sense of community that once defined Murphy, she said.

“It is essential that we preserve and strengthen the neighborhoods, values and quality of life that drew so many of us to Murphy in the first place,” Fincanon said.

She said she would bring a willingness to speak up and engage.

“I won’t stay silent when important questions need to be asked or when I have a differing perspective,” she said. “Open discussion leads to better decisions, and I am committed to making sure every issue is fully considered.”

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