Growing up in Baltimore, Murray was one of the first black students to integrate a nearly all-white elementary school. Later, he pushed for greater parity for black faculty and students at the University of Maryland, College Park in the early '70s.

Murray, an assistant to Senior Minister T.J. Baltimore at People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring and a professional counselor, hopes to break down another barrier this year, running for delegate in state District 20, Montgomery's only majority-minority district. If he succeeds, he would be the first black elected to a state office from Montgomery.

District 20 encompasses Takoma Park and portions of Silver Spring. Currently, Del. Dana L. Dembrow, Del. Peter Franchot, Del. Sheila E. Hixson and Sen. Ida Ruben represent District 20.

His entry into the race provides an alternative to a plan by Democrats by incumbent Democrats that re-drew the district to include House Environmental Matters Committee Chairman John A. Hurson of Chevy Chase and exclude Dembrow, who now lives in northeast Silver Spring, within the new Dist. 14. In the process, they prevented the creation of an open seat in the district, a seat that minorities say could have helped them elect a candidate to the General Assembly.

Murray, 54, made it clear whom he aims to beat in a recent interview. "Hurson is a new kid on the block, just like me ... I don't have issues with Sheila Hixson or Peter Franchot or Ida Ruben."

Murray said it is time that all segments of the community have a seat at the table.

"I think it's important to have a diverse representation, representation that reflects the county," he said.

Murray alluded to his efforts to desegregate the University of Maryland. "Early on it was a struggle, a real struggle," he said, adding that the arguments that some have made against his candidacy remind him of what he was told almost 30 years ago. "The arguments that we got was [to] be patient ... I've waited. It's time."

Murray also said other areas of the state use the Montgomery delegation's lack of diversity against it, despite the growing diversity in the county's population.

And he questioned Hurson's decision to recuse himself from this session's debate on the CareFirst sale after the company hired Hurson's Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. That undercut the argument that Hurson's clout in Annapolis helps voters back home, Murray said.

The redistricting plan and Hurson's past attempts to obstruct or delay the construction of a light rail line from Bethesda to Silver Spring also have upset a number of activists who could prove vital workers for a Murray candidacy.

Murray characterizes himself as a "servant leader" and describes a progressive agenda, including support for a living wage for government contractors, affordable housing and universal health care.

Murray is a member of the this year's Leadership Montgomery class. He received a doctorate in counseling from Cornell University and serves on the board of the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, as well as in other volunteer activities.

He supports exploring the Intercounty Connector and the Purple Line as possible solutions to the county's east-west traffic mess.