Republican ‘fighter’ who served in Congress for six terms and made history with political comeback dies aged 79
Former Congressman David McKinley has died at the age of 79 as tributes pour in for the six-term Republican from West Virginia.
McKinley died peacefully at his home in Wheeling after spending decades serving the Mountain State.
‘David McKinley was a fighter,’ US Senator Shelley Moore Capito, also a West Virginia Republican, said in a statement Friday.
‘Not only did David fight for his principles and the causes he believed in, but he also fought hardest for his cherished West Virginia.’
‘My heart goes out to his devoted wife Mary and his family in sympathy for their loss and in gratitude for his decades of public service and friendship,’ she added.
The seventh-generation West Virginian represented the state’s Third Delegate District in the House of Delegates from 1981 to 1994.
He returned to politics in 2010 after winning a Congressional seat in West Virginia’s First Congressional District, marking the first Republican to hold the seat in 42 years, West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported.
McKinley served in Congress from 2011 to 2023, fighting for causes such as miners and the coal industry.
Former Congressman David McKinley has died at the age of 79 as tributes pour in for the six-term Republican from West Virginia
McKinley, seen pictured with his wife Mary, died peacefully at his home in Wheeling after spending decades serving his home state
The seventh-generation West Virginian represented the state’s Third Delegate District in the House of Delegates from 1981 to 1994 and won a seat in Congress in 2010
He fought for providing funding for retired miners and resisted environmental regulations that he believed would damage the coal mining industry, which was key to the state’s economy, Roll Call Reported.
‘Denise and I were saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman David McKinley. David devoted decades of his life to public service, representing West Virginia in the House of Delegates, leading the state Republican Party and serving our people in the United States Congress,’ Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a statement.
‘He cared deeply about West Virginia and worked tirelessly to advance our state, strengthen our economy and improve the lives of the people he served. His commitment to public service and to the Mountain State leaves a lasting legacy.’
‘We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his wife Mary, his children and the entire McKinley family during this difficult time,’ Morrisey added.
McKinley’s family built the McKinley Architecture and Engineering firm, which now serves more than a dozen states.
The West Virginia Republican Party shared a statement that said: ‘A seventh-generation West Virginian, McKinley served in the United States House of Representatives for West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District from 2011 to 2023.’
‘He was the founder of McKinley and Associates, a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and served as Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. Known for his practical, results-driven approach, he was a strong advocate for West Virginia workers,’ the statement continued.
‘A seventh-generation West Virginian, McKinley served in the United States House of Representatives for West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District from 2011 to 2023. He was the founder of McKinley and Associates, a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and served as Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party.’
McKinley was a 1969 graduate from Perdue University with a degree in Civil Engineering and is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren
West Virginia GOP Chairman Josh Holstein described McKinley as a ‘friend and mentor to many of the officials serving our state today’
‘Known for his practical, results-driven approach, he was a strong advocate for West Virginia workers. The West Virginia Republican Party extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him,’ the statement concluded.
State Treasurer Larry Pack said that McKinley’s passing marked the loss of a ‘true statesman and patriot.’
‘Congressman McKinley laid the groundwork for the modern West Virginia Republican Party and always fought for our state’s values in the State Legislature and the United States Congress,’ he continued.
‘My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, and his family during this time. I will treasure our many conversations over the years. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be truly missed.’
West Virginia GOP Chairman Josh Holstein described McKinley as a ‘friend and mentor to many of the officials serving our state today.’
‘His legacy of leadership and commitment to our people will not be forgotten,’ he added.
Senator Jim Justice wrote on Facebook that West Virginia had ‘lost a great man today.’
‘I was around David a lot when I was Governor, and I’ll say just this — he was a great man that cared a whole lot about our state. Cathy and I are heartbroken and praying hard for his family, his friends, and all of West Virginia tonight. We’ve lost a good one,’ he added.
Senator Jim Justice, pictured on the left with McKinley sat on the right, said that West Virginia had ‘lost a great man today’
McKinley fought for providing funding for retired miners and resisted environmental regulations that he believed would damage the coal mining industry, which was key to the state’s economy
McKinley’s victory over a Congressional seat in West Virginia’s First Congressional District marked the first Republican to hold the seat in 42 years
Congresswoman Carol Miller recalled serving alongside McKinley in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
‘My first night in Congress, I walked onto the House Floor and in a sea of hundreds of people, I saw David holding up his hand so I could find him and the seat he had saved for me. We continued to sit beside each other throughout our shared time in Congress,’ Miller wrote on Facebook.
‘As chair of the West Virginia Republican Party, a Member of the WV House of Delegates, and a US Congressman, David proved himself to be a strong conservative who was guided by faith and cared deeply for our state and its people. I am praying for his wife Mary, his children, and his grandchildren as they mourn his passing.’
McKinley was a 1969 graduate from Perdue University with a degree in Civil Engineering and is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.
