David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2011)

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Why He Matters

In the 2010 midterms, businessman and former state Republican Party head McKinley snatched a House seat that has been in Democratic hands for 42 years in the swing state of West Virgina. He defeated state Sen. Mike Oliverio, who had earlier ousted veteran Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WestVa.) in the Democratic primary.

In the race, McKinley was supported heavily by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which elevated him to its top-tier "young gun" candidate status as one of its brightest hopes for taking back the House, as well as by Republican big guns including House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Oh.)

In His Own Words

"There's a war on coal coming from this [Obama] administration, and Congress seems to be going with it. Coal is West Virginia. It's the backbone of our budgets. To have this war on coal is destructive to our ability to maintain economic viability in the state."

More on: David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.)

At a Glance
Path To Power
The Issues
The Network
Additional Resources

Corrections?

Background

At a Glance

Career History: West Virginia House of Delegates (1981-1994); Head, West Virginia Republican Party Executive Committee (1990)
Birthday: 1947
Hometown: Wheeling, West Va.
Alma Mater: Purdue University
Spouse: Mary
Religion: Episcopal
Committees: House Energy and Commerce Committee
DC Office: 313 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-4172Fax: (202) 225-7564

Campaign Office: P.O. Box 6861, Wheeling, West Va.
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Path To Power

After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in civil engineering, McKinley spent 12 years working in construction and teaching night classes at local technical schools before establishing architectural and engineering company McKinley and Associates.

His political career began in 1981, when he was elected to the West Virginia legislature. Over his 13-year tenure there, he served on the legislature's Finance, Banking and Insurance and Roads and Transportation committees. He was elected chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party Executive Committee in 1990, and in 1996 lost to Cecil Underwood in the gubernatorial race's Republican primary.

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The Issues

McKinley positioned himself as a fierce opponent of cap-and-trade legislation. "There's a war on coal coming from this [Obama] administration, and Congress seems to be going with it. Coal is West Virginia. It's the backbone of our budgets. To have this war on coal is destructive to our ability to maintain economic viability in the state."

McKinley is firmly against abortion rights, believing in an exception only for the life of the mother.

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The Network

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), House GOP Conference Chair Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and consultant Dick Morris all stumped for McKinley.

Additional Resources