Biographical Information
An Unlikely Candidate
Paul McKinley’s entrance into politics was unlikely. In 1999, he was volunteering as an officer for the State Directors Area Education Association, serving on a local bank board, volunteering for church activities, and assisting his wife of 35 years, Trish, in her growing business. Additionally, the McKinleys’ two children Erin and Sean were active in school activities. Running for the Iowa Senate or any partisan political office was simply not on the radar screen.
After being asked to at least consider the possibility of running, Paul McKinley began to reflect on his years in manufacturing and volunteering in the education arena. He began to think of some changes Iowa needed on both fronts. With the filing deadline approaching and no other Republican willing to challenge the popular incumbent, McKinley rose to the occasion and started a campaign about issues and more importantly solutions.
Most pundits viewed his race as a long-shot at best. He would be challenging State Senator John Judge who less than two years earlier won the seat in a special election. Previously, the seat had been held by his wife, Patty, who was elected Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture before her current role as Lt. Governor. The Judge family name had been a force in regional politics for over a decade. Additionally, the district had 1000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. Paul McKinley was in the hole before the race even started.
McKinley knew his only chance of winning was to visit with as many voters as possible. His plan was to outline his vision for Southern Iowa and the solutions rooted in a background creating jobs and serving the community. If he could talk one-on-one to voters Paul McKinley figured he could get their vote - regardless of political affiliation.
A long hot summer, 3 pairs of shoes, and 10,000 doors later, Paul McKinley defeated the incumbent by over 1500 votes. He was re-elected in 2004 capturing over 60% of the vote and again re-elected in 2008 with over 63% of the vote. Paul McKinley was elected by his peers to lead the Senate Republicans in November of 2008.
Early Years
Paul McKinley was born in Chariton, Iowa (Lucas County) and raised on the family farm outside of Russell. Like most rural Iowa kids Paul kept busy with chores and most free time was spent in 4-H and scouting. He showed the grand champion steer at the Lucas County Fair where he was a repeat championship winner and most years took his prize winning Hereford to the Iowa State Fair. Always eager for outdoor activities Paul became active in scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout during his teen years.
In high school Paul was active in student government and also devoted time to football, track, baseball. Upon graduating from Russell High School, he went to the University of Iowa and graduated in 1971. In that year, after working with troubled youth, he returned to nearby Wayne County and became the director of Governor Bob Ray’s Model County Program. This position allowed a young Paul McKinley to work closely with local business and community leaders.
Open for Business
At a meeting one day with Bill Neely, owner of Neely Manufacturing in Corydon, Paul McKinley was offered his first private-sector opportunity. Recognizing Paul’s energy and leadership abilities Bill Neely offered a job to the young upstart. After just a few short years, McKinley found himself running the day-to-day operations as Bill Neely’s age and interests began to slow his daily involvement.
Neely Manufacturing during this time produced mainly garment bags for men and women’s clothing stores that were a mainstay in rural Iowa communities. The flagship product was a trademark diagonal zipper garment bag designed by Neely’s father and produced in mass quantities on the factory floor. However, double-digit interest rates and inflation as well as a looming farm crisis proved to be an overwhelming burden for one man and a risk-filled opp
Bill Neely called Paul McKinley into his office on a cold January day in 1981 and stated the company was losing customers, the stress was too much and the challenges of the times were too difficult. Rather than forge ahead, he would retire.
With the future of the company in doubt along with the livelihood of 75 employees and their families, Paul knew someone had to rise to the occasion. Bill Neely offered to sell the business to his top employee but like most business transactions during those times that was much easier said than done.
After months of working to arrange financing, Paul McKinley closed the deal and began work as the majority owner of Neely Manufacturing. No longer would McKinley rely on a paycheck signed by someone else, he bet his young family’s financial future the company could be turned around and now it was time prove it.
Business owner Paul McKinley began the long process by developing a comprehensive marketing plan, adding new product lines, expanding into new markets, and developing a more aggressive sales approach. When the 1980’s came to an end, Neely Manufacturing boasted 3 manufacturing facilities and triple the number of employees compared to when the decade started. Especially during those early years of the farm crisis, Paul McKinley’s business provided jobs in Southern Iowa when no one else was hiring.
Receiving an unsolicited offer to sell from a larger competitor, McKinley sold the business in 1991.
Iowa Senator & Senate Republican Leader
Since arriving in the Senate, Paul McKinley has strongly advocated for free market principles to grow and expand job creation in Iowa. A national presenter on education reform issues, he continually calls for increasing student achievement through more rigorous academic standards and greater accountability.
Today, Senator McKinley serves as the Republican Leader in the Iowa Senate. He is a member of the Chariton United Methodist Church, Lucas County Farm Bureau, and other civic organizations. Paul and his wife, Trish, reside in Chariton and have a son and a married daughter and two grandsons.
Education: BA, University of Iowa
Occupation: Entrepreneur/Businessman
Employment Highlights: CEO- Neely Mfg. Co, Director of Governor's Model County Program, Wayne County
Civic/Professional Organizations: Area Education Association, Citizens Bank Board of Directors, Farm Bureau, Great Western Bank Board of Directors, Iowa Capital Investment Board Member, Member United Methodist Church
