McKinney, Stewart B. (Stewart Brett), 1931-1987

Stewart Brett McKinney (January 30, 1931 – May 7, 1987) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he notably represented Connecticut's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 until his death from AIDS in Washington, D.C. in 1987.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Connecticut, he graduated from the Kent School and attended Princeton University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He attained the rank of sergeant, and completed his enlistment in 1955. McKinney then returned to college, and received a B.A. from Yale University in 1958. He raced cars and was involved in several car-related businesses, including Auto Interior Decorators, Inc. and Fairfield Firestone, and was president of a chain of tire stores called CMF Tires. He also owned Lantern Point Real Estate Development and other ventures. In 1966, McKinney was elected as a Republican to the Connecticut State House of Representatives, where he served two two-year terms from 1967 to 1971. He was minority leader in his second term.

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