In 1991 and 2001, Murphy presided over the reapportionment process which redrew congressional and legislative lines. In part because of his efforts to make the seats of Newt Gingrich (1991) and Bob Barr (2001) less friendly to Republicans, the resulting district maps were criticized as partisan Democratic gerrymanders. The maps were seen as a typical example of his "hardball" approach to political power. Gingrich, who was Murphy's congressman for 14 years, recalled that Murphy, "by raising money and gerrymandering, has sincerely dedicated a part of his career to wiping me out."