Over the weekend, Delegate Mike McKay launched his campaign for the District 1 seat in the Maryland Senate. He made the official announcement on Sunday evening at the Allegany Fair in Cumberland.
“After thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided to seek election as the next Senator from District 1,” said McKay. “Over my two decades of public service, I have consistently delivered measurable successes for Western Maryland and put our people ahead of politics.”
McKay is a passionate champion for Western Maryland and the state’s rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development and healthcare.
As the self-proclaimed “Dental Delegate” McKay was instrumental in expanding dental care in rural communities and across Maryland by addressing the needs of adults with disabilities, extending coverage to post-partum women and creating more flexibility in coverage to accommodate schedules of busy families with multiple children.
Workforce and economic development is also a passion of McKay’s. When the Luke Mill shot down, and jobs were leaving the area, McKay shepherded funding for the completion of Western Maryland Works so that current and future generations of Western Marylanders could be trained, or retrained, in cutting-edge careers in manufacturing, robotics and much more.
McKay has represented District 1C, which includes Washington & Allegany Counties in the House of Delegates since 2015 where he is a member of the Appropriations Committee and Western Maryland Delegation. Delegate McKay also serves as Co-Chair of the State Commission on Economic Stability, which is charged with developing a path to the middle class for all Marylanders. He was the 2019 Recipient of the Mac Middleton Rural Health Legislator of the Year and is the Western Maryland representative on the Maryland Rural Council.
Prior to serving in the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate McKay was an Allegany County Commissioner and member of the Allegany County Board of Education, Allegany Board of Health, Allegany County Task Force on Child Abuse, Allegany County Mental Health Advisory Board and the Allegany County Social Services Board of Directors. He was also active with the Maryland Association of Counties and is a graduate of their Academy for Excellence in Local Government. He has also a graduate of Leadership Allegany!
Delegate McKay is a career independent small business owner and is the President and CEO of Allegany Management Services, Inc., a progressive and professional cleaning and restoration firm headquartered in Allegany County with two locations in Maryland. He has been an active member of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, serving as President and Chairman of the Board.
Delegate McKay and his wife, Kimberly moved to Allegany County in 1996. They live in Cumberland with their eight children: Courtney, Mason, Madison, Matthew, Joshua, Julian, Reagan, and Lincoln. The McKays are actively involved in the greater faith-based community in the Tri-State Area and are members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland.
Click here to watch the announcement!