Spouse(s) Ruth McKain Name Paul McKain Political party Independent politician | Religion Lutheran Role Author | |
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Alma mater Miami Dade College, Florida International University Occupation Retired Fire Fighter, Child Safety Advocate, Inventor, Author, Congressional Candidate Residence Tallahassee, Florida, United States Books Successful Failures: So You Have an Idea, Now What? Education Florida International University, Miami Dade College | ||
Paul C. McKain (born 1951 in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia) is an inventor, author, child-safety advocate, and now congressional candidate. A retired Florida firefighter, McKain is recognized for co-inventing a swimming pool system designed to protect swimmers, particularly children, from drowning due to suction of underwater swimming pool pumps. This invention, and McKain's federal testimony on the dangers, injuries, and deaths attributed to unprotected pumps, resulted in federal legislation requiring that all public pools and spas install this vacuum release system technology. Based on the success of his swimming pool system and legislative efforts, McKain authored a book in 2007 designed to assist other aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs in reaching similar success, titled Successful Failures: So You Have an Idea, Now What?
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Child safety efforts and career
A longtime resident of Florida, McKain graduated from Florida International University. After a number of years serving as a teacher, he joined the Sunrise Florida Fire/Rescue Department, a position he held for 23 years until retirement in 2003. Already a longtime advocate of child safety, McKain was inspired to construct the pump shutoff device after watching a television news show recalling the numerous deaths and serious injuries against children from this "die pump suction hazard." Using parts bought from Radio Shack, McKain and his brother-in-law built the first prototype in his garage. In the meantime, McKain became known as an expert in this area of child safety and was frequently consulted by the federal government, state government, and as an expert witness in high-profile litigation relating to prevention of such deaths and injuries to vulnerable children. In addition, McKain created a company called PlaySafe Systems, Inc. that was to handle his pool-safety technology. In 2004, PlaySafe and its patented technology was acquired by Hayward Pool Products where McKain's product was to be sold as an accessory to swimming pools and spas.
Besides holding a patent on the vacuum relief device, McKain also holds patents on a number of other items to include an emergency sail system and a light emitting screwdriver.
2010 U.S. House campaign
In 2009, McKain announced his candidacy for the 2010 bid for Florida's 2nd congressional district against incumbent Allen Boyd.
Though initially running on the Florida Whig Party ticket, he announced on January 25, 2010 that he would instead run as an Independent (politician) while on "The Morning Show" on Tallahassee's 100.7 FM WFLA. In a press release released the same day, he explained, "I do not want to have to adopt any party’s platform or answer to any party’s leader. Unfortunately, that is the direction we were going with the Whigs. I didn't like it and my supporters didn't like it. Each congressional district is unique and cannot be handled with a one size fits all platform approach. When elected, I will answer to and be accountable to the voters of District 2 and the voters of District 2 alone. Principles above party. That is what this election is about.”
In an online straw poll conducted in late March 2010 by WFLA radio's conservative-leaning Morning Show, McKain was the surprise winner with 42 percent of the vote, with the Republican candidate placing second at 24 percent.
McKain has run on platforms that include States' rights and fiscal responsibility in government, but his largest issue has been proper representation of the voters of District 2. To that end, he has drafted what he calls "Project: First Week," which outlines a plan of streamlined representation in Florida's 2nd congressional district.