Republican precinct committeemen in north-central Indiana have selected Marion businessman and former police officer Nick McKinley to fill the vacant Senate seat in Indiana’s 17th District, a move that will immediately give the region new representation at the Statehouse and set up a competitive May primary.
At a caucus held Saturday, McKinley defeated other GOP contenders by a vote of 84-25 to succeed former Sen. Andy Zay, who resigned earlier this year. Senate District 17 covers all of Grant, Huntington, and Wabash counties. McKinley is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, Feb. 9, and will serve the remainder of Zay’s term, which expires in November. He will also appear on the Republican primary ballot in May.
In a statement after the vote, McKinley thanked local party leaders for their support and signaled a traditional conservative agenda. “I am grateful for the confidence Republican precinct committeemen have placed in me,” he said, adding that he intends to provide “strong, conservative representation” for the district.
He has also been active in local politics, serving as an at-large member of the Marion City Council and later as its president. McKinley currently chairs the Grant County Republican Party.
Policy-wise, McKinley said he plans to prioritize public safety, tax relief, constitutional protections, pro-growth economic policies, school choice, and support for farmers and small businesses.
