State Senator John McKinney, R-Fairfield, today was appointed to the position of Minority Leader Pro Tempore by Senate Republican Leader Louis C. DeLuca. With this selection, Sen. McKinney becomes the second highest-ranking Republican in the State Senate.

"To be entrusted with this position of leadership by Senator DeLuca is truly an honor," said
Sen. McKinney who was recently elected to a fourth term in the State Senate representing the 28 th Senatorial District that includes the towns of Fairfield, Easton, Newtown and part of Weston. "I am grateful to Sen. DeLuca and the entire Senate Republican caucus for this opportunity. The State Senate is comprised of a group of dedicated individuals and I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to put forth legislation that will benefit the residents of the State of Connecticut."

Sen. McKinney was first elected to the State Senate in 1998. He has held various leadership positions in the legislature including Ranking Member of the Environment and Housing Committees and has been a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee along with the legislature's Transportation Committee. In 2003, Sen. DeLuca named Sen. McKinney to the position of Assistant Minority Leader.

According to Sen. DeLuca, the selection of Sen. McKinney to be his chief deputy was due in large part to his commitment to good government, his commitment to constituents and his concerns of other legislators. "Throughout his six years in the State Senate John has shown that he has an enormous amount of knowledge regarding the legislative process. He has the time and energy needed to hold this position and I am very happy to have him as my deputy."