McKinney promotes Shays’ candidacy in new video

State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, whose late father’s political legacy is forever intertwined with Christopher Shays, is trumpeting the “electability” of the former congressman in a new video timed for release just 48 hours before the state Republican convention.

Shays, who is vying for the GOP endorsement for U.S. Senate against Linda McMahon, represented the 4th Congressional District for 21 years until his ouster in 2008.

In 1987, Shays won a special election to fill the seat of McKinney’s father, Stewart McKinney, who died in office.

McKinney characterizes Shays as the only Republican who can beat Democrat Chris Murphy in the November election during the 90-second spot, which was posted today on the Shays campaign website.

Neil Vigdor