Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley Will Not Seek Re-Election

Senator Paul McKinley (R) was on hand for the final Eggs and Issues for 2011

CHARITON – Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Iowa Senate next year.

McKinley also announced that he will step down as Senate Republican Leader when Senate Republicans meet at the Capitol on Thursday, November 10 for their previously scheduled fall caucus.

“Since I will not be seeking another term, I believe the Senate Republicans should have a new leader in place now to continue building on the momentum that is being generated as we head toward picking up the majority in November of 2012,” said McKinley, who was first elected in 2000 and was elected leader in November 2008.

McKinley said this decision was not made lightly and that after speaking at length with his family, he decided it was time to move on to a new chapter of life.

“In the 80’s, I purchased and grew my manufacturing business in southern Iowa. In the 90’s, I sold my business, retired, raised my children and served my community in various capacities. For the past eleven years, I have served my state as a Senator and now it is time to move on to the next chapter of my life and spend more time with my grandchildren,” McKinley noted.

McKinley will finish out his current term which expires in January of 2013. The upcoming session, which begins in January of 2012, will be his last.

“Serving my fellow citizens has truly been the honor of a lifetime,” he concluded.