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  • Writer's pictureTodd McKinley
    • Mar 9
    • 2 min read

My Current Public Involvement


Title: My Current Public Involvement


Note: This isn't a political post, given this is my personal website, there are times that my blog posts may be political and otherwise and this is one of the otherwise occasions. The reason for this note is the fact that this blog update mentions The American Legion, which is a nonpartisan organization and to avoid those who would try to use it against me, I decided to put this out up front.


Political Related

Sullivan County, Tennessee

· Republican Nominee: County Board of Education District-5 (March 5th, 2024 - Present)

· County GOP: Executive Committee Member at Large (March 2nd, 2023 - Present)

 

The 917 Society www.917society.org

· Volunteer (2021-Present)

 

Political Commentary (Various Media Outlets September 2017 - Present)

· Host & Purveyor: Todd McKinley Commentary

 

Veterans Service Related

American Legion: Division Level

o Vice Commander: East Tennessee Division Department of Tennessee (July 3rd, 2022 - Present)

· Delegate: National American Legion Convention 2022 & 2023

· Member: National Legislative Council for the 118th Congress

(National Member of the Week for April 6th, 2023) 

· Member: National Security Commission: Conventional Armed Forces Committee

· Member: Department Executive Committee

· Member: Department Legislative Committee for the 1st Congressional District

· Member: Department Trophies and Awards Committee

 

American Legion: Department Level

o Senior Vice Commander: Candidate (July 4th, 2023 - Present)


Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park Association

· Board Member (2021 - Present)

· President (April 1st, 2023 - Present)

​

Veterans Coffee Roundtable

· Host (September 2023 - Present)

​

University of Tennessee Medical Center Home Care Services- Hospice

· Veteran Visitor (February 28th, 2024 - Present)




Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

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  • Writer's pictureTodd McKinley
    • Mar 8
    • 2 min read

A Primary Thank You, and a General Fundraiser

Updated: Mar 16


Title: A Primary Thank You, and a General Fundraiser


A Primary Thank You

 

First off, I need to thank everyone who made the Super Tuesday victory in the Republican primary possible. Thanks to Carrie Carpenter for making some great homemade signs, awesome mailers as well as everyone who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and everyone who voted.

 

I also want to thank Zack Smith for being a great candidate, opponent, and now a friend. I’m happy to have him be the first person to endorse my candidacy as we move forward to the General Election on August 1st.

 

That said, politics shouldn’t divide us as we have allowed it to but should serve to bring people and communities together to discuss issues in an open, and fair manner. In addition to my campaign pledges, I further pledge to continue to run a clean campaign moving forward.

 



General Fundraiser



Now it’s time to shift the focus away from the Primary Elections and get into General Election mode. To make the August 1st General Election a success, I’m going to do what I hate to do, which is to ask for your financial assistance.


To do this, we’ve begun planning for the first General Election campaign fundraiser. The initial information is below, but if you have more questions, feel free to send them my way. Todd@toddmckinley.com


Date: April 20th, 2024

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Ron Ramsey Regional Agriculture Center

140 Spurgeon Ln, Blountville, TN 37617-5816, United States 


Suggested Minimum Donation: $25

Class Clown: $35 (1 Ticket, 1 American Flag pin, plus you get to tell a joke.)

Table Sponsor: $200 (8 Tickets)

Teacher's Pet: $225 (Includes Table Sponsor & American Flag pin for 8 Guest.)

Honor Roll: $250 (Includes Teacher's Pet + Invitation to Private Roundtable)

 

Menu: Cube Steak w/ Gravy, Chicken, Mixed Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, Roll, Assorted Desserts, Drink

 



General Election Campaign Slogan


Given that someone who holds elective office, especially one who represents a segment of the population, should never put themselves above those they serve, my new slogan is simple.

We > Me

In other words, the public I aim to represent, whether they vote for me or not, is greater than me, I'm just looking to be your/their voice on the Sullivan County School Board representing District 5. I will be a bulwark against bad ideas from Washington, Nashville, and especially the Woke Left. I will work to restore the power to the people and will listen to the public before I speak, and when I do speak, it will be with a consensus, of the entire district.


Primary Election Blog Updates


For full disclosure, I plan to leave all pertinent Primary Election blog updates on my website. See the link below.




Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.


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  • Writer's pictureTodd McKinley
    • Feb 29
    • 2 min read

Kingsport Times-News Questions

Updated: Mar 4


Title: Kingsport Times-News Questions


1. Why do you want to serve or continue to serve on the Sullivan County Board of Education?

 

There are several reasons, the main one is to serve as a bulwark against bad ideas, especially ones that flow from Washington, DC, and the “Woke” left. Another reason is to ensure that the resources we spend go to producing the best possible graduate, which means better Teacher pay & benefits, basically more money for the classrooms. As I always say, “an educated public is an employable public.” Remember, industry and jobs only move into areas in which the population has a well-rounded education.

 

2. What in your education, background, and experiences would help you in a four-year term on the school board?

 

As a retired Army Paratrooper, Senior Noncommissioned Officer, and Afghanistan & Iraq War Veteran, I’m not afraid to fight for the people of this county, and have nearly been killed while serving them.

 

My education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security, a Master of Science Leadership: Global Leadership from Duquesne University, Certificates in Executive Leadership from Cornell University, and Leaders of Learning from Harvard University, and a diploma from Sullivan North High School, as well as dozens of military and technical certifications. www.toddmckinley.com/education

 

3. What would you like to accomplish and what are your goals if elected?

 

My main goals are to boost Teacher pay & benefits to compete for the best and brightest, implement a public comment period before spending more than $500K on any project, which includes allocating new funds to ongoing projects, all before naming sports venues after someone. I also want to work to promote public involvement when it comes to their school boards, which will serve to give everyone a voice in public education which is lacking across our nation, especially with many recent members on our county school board.

  

4. What do you think of Gov. Bill Lee’s plan to expand the school voucher program and the current partisan school board elections versus non-partisan ones in the past?

 

The Governor’s voucher program will be decided by the State Legislature, not local school boards, but I don’t support it. I think this voucher program will do nothing more than assist those who can basically afford private school which on average in TN costs $20K annually after factoring in transportation cost, which is a nonstarter for most Tennesseans. Remember, vouchers aren’t the same thing as school choice.

 

I support partisan elections because it allows the voter to know where the candidate lands politically even if they don’t know much about them.




Also, here’s the link to every blog update regarding this campaign.




Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

 

 



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