House Speaker William J. Murphy, one of state government's most powerful figures, announced today that he will seek re-election to the House.

If he keeps his House seat, Murphy will also seek support in January for a fourth term as speaker, according to a news release. He's been speaker for six years.

Murphy, a West Warwick Democrat in a state where that party commands wide House and Senate majorities, has represented District 26 -- West Warwick, Coventry and Warwick -- since 1992.

“There is no finer calling than public service, and it is a great honor to be able to represent the constituents of my district and to bring their collective voices to the State House," said Murphy, who is also a partner in a law firm, said in the statement this afternoon.

Early this morning, after the House finished voting on the state budget, Murphy assured Journal reporters he would be running again. Rumors had been swirling that he would not.

Today, notices were put in legislators' mailboxes at the State House letting them know Murphy would seek re-election.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Cynthia Needham and Katherine Gregg, Journal State House bureau