Preceded by Thomas McCreesh Role Pennsylvania politician Succeeded by Hardy Williams Occupation Business Owner Died June 28, 1995 Resigned November 30, 1982 | Religion Baptist Spouse Bessie Grayson Name Paul McKinney Political party Democratic Party | |
Children Diane McKinney-Whetstone | ||
Paul McKinney was a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving from 1975 to 1982.
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Early life
McKinney was born in 1923 in Albany, GA. In 1941 he moved to Darby, PA and became a Merchant Marine and eventually settled in Philadelphia in the late 1940s. He married Bessie Grayson in 1949.
Business Life
McKinney owned several business, his first being a restaurant and catering business with his wife Bessie. In the 1960s he owned and operated a television sales and repair shop. In 1966 he became one Philadelphia's first African American U.S. Postal Service independent contractors.
Political Life
McKinney served as a Democratic Party Committeeman and Ward Chairman of West Philadelphia's 60th Ward for a number of years. In 1974 he was elected as Pennsylvania's the first African American state senator.