By Samantha Nuechterlein
Ever wonder if all the toiling you do in the legislative trenches could possibly lead to fame or fortune?
While John McKay, assistant secretary of the Colorado Senate, did find his 15 minutes of fame, fortune, alas, did not follow.
McKay, who appeared on the May 23 episode of “Jeopardy,” has been watching the show for as long as he can remember. It was always a nightly routine before sitting down to dinner with his family and he recently accomplished his lifelong dream of qualifying for the show after years of taking the once-a-year 50-question online entrance test.
He totally stumped Alex Trebek when the host did not know what to make of McKay’s position in the Colorado Senate. When querying the Jeopardy contestant Trebek quipped, “sounds like an important job.”
While that was a kudo to McKay and the important work he does every day in the Colorado Senate, he did not fare as well with Jeopardy whiz Buzzy Cohen. Cohen went on to win the match and started an internet storm over his witty responses in “Final Jeopardy.”
After never missing a day of session in six years as the assistant secretary of the Colorado Senate, McKay seemed more flattered to have been supported by the entire General Assembly in taking time off to record the show during session.
He had lots of cheerleaders and support from his friends at the legislature and was thankful the actual show aired after session had adjourned, which limited his public embarrassment. The entire Senate was hoping it would air during session so they could have a viewing party in the chamber.
Samantha Nuechterlein is staff coordinator for the NCSL Foundation and Member Outreach.
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