[1] After graduating, he started the practice of law and was married twice, first to Ann Fleming Christian and then to Annie Clay, with each marriage producing one child.

He served multiple terms as the Commonwealth Attorney for Prince Edward County throughout the next twenty years.

[1] However, he also lost a number of electoral campaigns during that time, including for U.S. Congress, Virginia Attorney General and Governor.

The central theme of McKinney's gubernatorial campaign was white supremacy and the danger of African-American advancement.

[4] Once elected, his primary focus as Governor was on developing the state economy and increasing the power of the Virginia Democratic party.