Paul C. McKain
Encyclopedia
Paul C. McKain is an inventor, author, child-safety advocate, and now congressional candidate. A retired Florida
firefighter
, McKain is recognized for co-inventing a swimming pool system designed to protect swimmers, particularly children, from drowning due to suction of underwater swimming pool pumps. This invention, and McKain's federal testimony on the dangers, injuries, and deaths attributed to unprotected pumps, resulted in federal legislation requiring that all public pools and spas install this vacuum release system technology. Based on the success of his swimming pool system and legislative efforts, McKain authored a book in 2007 designed to assist other aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs in reaching similar success, titled Successful Failures: So You Have an Idea, Now What?
. After a number of years serving as a teacher, he joined the Sunrise Florida Fire/Rescue Department, a position he held for 23 years until retirement in 2003. Already a longtime advocate of child safety, McKain was inspired to construct the pump shutoff device after watching a television news show recalling the numerous deaths and serious injuries against children from this "die pump suction hazard." Using parts bought from Radio Shack
, McKain and his brother-in-law built the first prototype in his garage. In the meantime, McKain became known as an expert in this area of child safety and was frequently consulted by the federal government, state government, and as an expert witness in high-profile litigation relating to prevention of such deaths and injuries to vulnerable children. In addition, McKain created a company called PlaySafe Systems, Inc. that was to handle his pool-safety technology. In 2004, PlaySafe and its patented technology was acquired by Hayward Pool Products where McKain's product was to be sold as an accessory to swimming pools and spas.
Besides holding a patent on the vacuum relief device, McKain also holds patents on a number of other items to include an emergency sail system and a light emitting screwdriver.
against incumbent Allen Boyd
.
Though initially running on the Florida Whig Party
ticket, he announced on January 25, 2010 that he would instead run as an Independent (politician)
while on "The Morning Show" on Tallahassee's 100.7 FM WFLA. In a press release released the same day, he explained, "I do not want to have to adopt any party’s platform or answer to any party’s leader. Unfortunately, that is the direction we were going with the Whigs. I didn't like it and my supporters didn't like it. Each congressional district is unique and cannot be handled with a one size fits all platform approach. When elected, I will answer to and be accountable to the voters of District 2 and the voters of District 2 alone. Principles above party. That is what this election is about.”
In an online straw poll conducted in late March 2010 by WFLA radio's conservative-leaning Morning Show, McKain was the surprise winner with 42 percent of the vote, with the Republican candidate placing second at 24 percent.
McKain has run on platforms that include States' rights
and fiscal responsibility in government, but his largest issue has been proper representation of the voters of District 2. To that end, he has drafted what he calls "Project: First Week," which outlines a plan of streamlined representation in Florida's 2nd congressional district
.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
, McKain is recognized for co-inventing a swimming pool system designed to protect swimmers, particularly children, from drowning due to suction of underwater swimming pool pumps. This invention, and McKain's federal testimony on the dangers, injuries, and deaths attributed to unprotected pumps, resulted in federal legislation requiring that all public pools and spas install this vacuum release system technology. Based on the success of his swimming pool system and legislative efforts, McKain authored a book in 2007 designed to assist other aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs in reaching similar success, titled Successful Failures: So You Have an Idea, Now What?
Child safety efforts and career
A longtime resident of Florida, McKain graduated from Florida International UniversityFlorida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
. After a number of years serving as a teacher, he joined the Sunrise Florida Fire/Rescue Department, a position he held for 23 years until retirement in 2003. Already a longtime advocate of child safety, McKain was inspired to construct the pump shutoff device after watching a television news show recalling the numerous deaths and serious injuries against children from this "die pump suction hazard." Using parts bought from Radio Shack
Radio shack
Radio shack is a slang term for a room or structure for housing radio equipment.-History:In the early days of radio, equipment was experimental and home-built. The first radio transmitters used a noisy spark to generate radio waves and were often housed in a garage or shed. When radio was first...
, McKain and his brother-in-law built the first prototype in his garage. In the meantime, McKain became known as an expert in this area of child safety and was frequently consulted by the federal government, state government, and as an expert witness in high-profile litigation relating to prevention of such deaths and injuries to vulnerable children. In addition, McKain created a company called PlaySafe Systems, Inc. that was to handle his pool-safety technology. In 2004, PlaySafe and its patented technology was acquired by Hayward Pool Products where McKain's product was to be sold as an accessory to swimming pools and spas.
Besides holding a patent on the vacuum relief device, McKain also holds patents on a number of other items to include an emergency sail system and a light emitting screwdriver.
2010 U.S. House campaign
In 2009, McKain announced his candidacy for the 2010 bid for Florida's 2nd congressional districtFlorida's 2nd congressional district
Florida's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. The district consists of the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle along with much of the Big Bend region along the Emerald Coast, and is anchored in the state capital of Tallahassee and includes Panama...
against incumbent Allen Boyd
Allen Boyd
Fred Allen Boyd Jr. is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He currently works for a lobbying firm, the Twenty-First Century Group.-Early life, education and career:...
.
Though initially running on the Florida Whig Party
Florida Whig Party
The Florida Whig Party is a registered political party in the state of Florida. In 2008, the party aligned itself with the Modern Whig Party, a national organization of about 30,000 members initially founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as a "comeback" of the historic Whig Party.However, the...
ticket, he announced on January 25, 2010 that he would instead run as an Independent (politician)
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
while on "The Morning Show" on Tallahassee's 100.7 FM WFLA. In a press release released the same day, he explained, "I do not want to have to adopt any party’s platform or answer to any party’s leader. Unfortunately, that is the direction we were going with the Whigs. I didn't like it and my supporters didn't like it. Each congressional district is unique and cannot be handled with a one size fits all platform approach. When elected, I will answer to and be accountable to the voters of District 2 and the voters of District 2 alone. Principles above party. That is what this election is about.”
In an online straw poll conducted in late March 2010 by WFLA radio's conservative-leaning Morning Show, McKain was the surprise winner with 42 percent of the vote, with the Republican candidate placing second at 24 percent.
McKain has run on platforms that include States' rights
States' rights
States' rights in U.S. politics refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government. It is often considered a loaded term because of its use in opposition to federally mandated racial desegregation...
and fiscal responsibility in government, but his largest issue has been proper representation of the voters of District 2. To that end, he has drafted what he calls "Project: First Week," which outlines a plan of streamlined representation in Florida's 2nd congressional district
Florida's 2nd congressional district
Florida's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. The district consists of the eastern part of the Florida Panhandle along with much of the Big Bend region along the Emerald Coast, and is anchored in the state capital of Tallahassee and includes Panama...
.
External links
- Paul C. McKain for Congress official campaign site
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org