Frank E. McKinney

Who is Frank E. McKinney?

Frank E. McKinney was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1951 through 1952. He was hand-picked for the post by then-President Harry S Truman.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, McKinney served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a delegate to several Democratic National Conventions from Indiana. In addition to working as a banker and being active in Indiana politics, McKinney was a co-owner of several baseball teams, including the Louisville Colonels, the Indianapolis Indians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He served as majority owner and president of the Pirates from August 8, 1946 until July 18, 1950.

One of McKinney's first acts as DNC chairman was to advocate that all collectors of internal revenue be civil service, rather than political patronage, jobs. McKinney was ousted from the DNC in 1952 by that year's presidential nominee, Adlai Stevenson. He later backed W. Averell Harriman for the 1956 presidential nomination.

His son, Frank, Jr., was an Olympic athlete.