He's become a household name. Wednesday Chris McMurray, also known as "Chris the Baker," was a special guest at the Paul Ryan Rally in Roanoke County.
McMurray took to the stage and announced the presumptive republican nominee for Vice President. "I'd like to introduce the next vice president of the United States- Paul Ryan," McMurray shouted into the microphone before a crowd of 1,300 at the Northwest True Value Hardware Store on Brambleton Avenue.
McMurray introduced Congressman Ryan to cheers. It's something this baker never imagined he'd be doing. "I was blown away when I got the phone call to come and participate with these guys," McMurray said.
With a table set up at the rally, it wasn't just 1,000 cookies he handed out, but countless handshakes and hellos. One by one folks in the crowd approached McMurray. "Chris, good job," one man said. "I just love you. I appreciate all you've done," a woman said. "I Just want to shake your hand," another person said. "I saw you on TV last night." Others asked McMurray to pose for photographs.
It seems "Chris the Baker" from Radford was more like "Chris the Rock Star."
McMurray insists he's just a regular guy. That may be what's endeared him to so many regular folks.
"They're calling my husband a hero," said Kelly McMurray. Chris McMurray's wife admits it's been a whirlwind since last week with interviews and many orders for cookies. Even though her husband's been dubbed "Chris the Baker," rumor has it she's really the one who does the baking in the family business, Crumb and Get It in Radford.
"I do bake, but he talks and that's a good combination for us, so I'll keep on cooking," Kelly McMurray said.
Things have been cooking since last week. That's when Chris McMurray turned down Vice President Joe Biden's offer to have his business used as a part of a Biden photo op. Chris McMurray said he just doesn't agree with the Obama administration's policies.
"A lot of people have told us that he has said what everybody else was feeling," Kelly McMurray said.
Chris McMurray wanted to clarify yet again that he did not say no to serving Biden. He just did not want to be part of his campaign. "We serve anyone and everyone. We do not discriminate," McMurray said. "This was just a no to a photo op in a swing state with a business owner of an administration I don't support."
