Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

election-profile-McKinney

Full Text:

ELECTION PROFILE: Senatorial District 28 -- Republican John McKinney

BY STEVE BIGHAM

John McKinney was looking forward to debating the issues this fall in his

effort to win the 28th District state senate seat. Instead, he has spent much

of his time defending his record.

His opponent, Tom Ganim, has accused him of being hypocritical in his stand

against smoking. Mr Ganim claims the record shows Mr McKinney helped the

cigarette companies hook teenagers on tobacco. That's nonsense, Mr McKinney

said, urging voters to reject the Democrat's "smoke-screen."

Back in 1986-87, the Republican from Fairfield got a job working as a lobbyist

for US Tobacco. Just 22 at the time, Mr McKinney said he was simply trying to

earn a living after college. He never expected it would come back to haunt

him. It has, however, and we won't know how much until Tuesday.

Mr McKinney, 34, said his opponent has misrepresented the truth. UST doesn't

even produce cigarettes as Mr Ganim has led people to believe, Mr McKinney

said. The company manufactures chewing tobacco.

"I've never had anything to do with cigarettes in my life and that's his

entire campaign," Mr McKinney said.

In what Mr McKinney called a great display of contrasts, the two debated the

issues at a debate in Easton last week.

"I talked about what I believed in. He continued to talk about tobacco. I

think it is going to backfire on him," he said.

In Mr McKinney's mind, this campaign is about the economy, less government

spending, lower taxes and the creation of more jobs. You create more jobs by

providing a business-friendly environment. You expand the tax base by

providing tax relief for everyone, he said.

"We need to improve our public education system to provide our children with a

first class education," Mr McKinney said. "We need to get government out of

our lives. We need more local control so that Newtown can make decisions for

Newtown. We need to get rid of laws that repeal local zoning power."

Over-development is threatening the character of all our towns, Mr McKinney

said.

The Fairfield resident finds it strange that Mr Ganim's three key issues are

seat belts on buses, smoke free campuses and health care reform.

"I am perfectly willing to let the voters take what I think are the three most

important issues and what he thinks they are and let them decide. Jobs,

cutting taxes and educating our children are not even on his list," he said.

Mr McKinney said he disagrees with Mr Ganim's position on getting more state

aid for Newtown. More state spending means they'll have to raise taxes, he

said. I'm going to go up there to work for less of our money being sent to

Hartford.

Mr McKinney has done his share of walking during the campaign, walking Newtown

neighborhoods, campaigning at the landfill and meeting with town officials to

learn more about what is important to the voters of Newtown.

"I do that because I believe that is the most effective way to communicate

with the voters," he said.

Mr McKinney said he feels very good about his chances as the election nears.

His campaign started several months ago with little money and even less name

recognition. Mr McKinney has talked about tradition throughout the campaign.

His father was Stewart B. McKinney, the respected longtime congressman who

died in 1987. The hard work has paid off.

"Now, when I introduce myself, people say, `I've already met you.' It's paid

off," he said.

Mr McKinney graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1982 and then from Yale

University in 1986. He received his law degree from the University of

Connecticut in 1994.