He attended primary and secondary school in the city before graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1923.
Murray began his career as a lawyer in his hometown, before moving to Sioux City to join the law firm Walter and Loepp in 1924.
He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1936 as a Democratic legislator for District 32, and took office on January 11, 1937.
Between 1943 and 1944, Murray served as chief counsel for the Sioux City District of the Office of Price Administration.
At the time of his death on May 9, 1958, Murray was still serving as city attorney and as area rent director.