Born in Rockville, Maryland, Senator Mike McKay has made Appalachia Maryland's home for the last 27 years. 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. While he is a public servant, his most important role is that of husband and father. He is married to his wife Kimberly and is a proud father of their eight children: Courtney, Mason, Madison, Matthew, Joshua, Julian, Reagan, and Lincoln. He has been a career small business owner running his Dryclean and Shirt Salon in Cumberland and La Vale, Maryland as well as Germ Defense Maryland.
He has been an active member of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, serving as President and Chairman of the Board.
While he currently serves as the Senator of District 1, he previously represented Allegany and Washington Counties in District 1C from 2015 to 2023 in the House of Delegates, where he served on the Appropriations Committee. Prior to his time in the General Assembly Senator McKay served as President of the Board of County Commissioners of Allegany County from 2010-2014 as well as serving on the Board of Education of Allegany County during the same time span. He also served on the 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.
In July of 2021, while still a Delegate, Mike McKay announced that he would run for the District 1 State Senate seat following then-Senator George Edwards decision to not seek re-election in 2022. After a passionate primary race, Senator McKay won the Republican nomination and in November, the Senate election itself. In his first year as in the Senate, Senator McKay was a member of six different committees and caucuses:
- Judicial Proceedings Committee
- Executive Nominations Committee
- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review
- Joint Committee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation,
- Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families
- Maryland Veterans Caucus
Throughout his time in public service, Senator McKay has been a passionate champion for Appalachian Maryland and the state’s rural communities, especially in the areas of economic and workforce development and healthcare.