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→Political career
In 1971, McConnell sought the legislative seat which Branton vacated to run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor to succeed Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, who ran instead for governor. This time, the senior Harmon Drew led in the primary balloting with 3,026 votes (25.2 percent). McConnell trailed in second place with 2,916 ballots (24.3 percent). In third place was the Minden educator Ralph Lamar Rentz, Sr. (1930-1995), who polled 2,739 votes (22.8 percent). Rentz proposed that Webster Parish establish a two-year educational program past the twelfth grade of high school to assist students seeking four-year college degrees, a reform implemented in Bossier Parish in 1967 which eventually became Bossier Parish Community College. And a community technical college opened years later in Minden. The businessman Houston Morris finished in fourth place in the legislative contest with 2,101 votes (17.5 percent). Two other candidates, including the late Minden businessman N. J. Cone, Jr., split the remaining 1,216 votes (10.1 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 9, 1971, p. 1.</ref>
In 1971, McConnell sought the legislative seat which Branton vacated to run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor to succeed Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, who ran instead for governor. This time, the senior Harmon Drew led in the primary balloting with 3,026 votes (25.2 percent). McConnell trailed in second place with 2,916 ballots (24.3 percent). In third place was the Minden educator Ralph Lamar Rentz, Sr. (1930-1995), who polled 2,739 votes (22.8 percent). Rentz proposed that Webster Parish establish a two-year educational program past the twelfth grade of high school to assist students seeking four-year college degrees, a reform implemented in Bossier Parish in 1967 which eventually became Bossier Parish Community College. And a community technical college opened years later in Minden. The businessman Houston Morris finished in fourth place in the legislative contest with 2,101 votes (17.5 percent). Two other candidates, including the late Minden businessman N. J. Cone, Jr., split the remaining 1,216 votes (10.1 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 9, 1971, p. 1.</ref>
In the runoff election against Drew, McConnell ran on a platform advocating revision of the state tax code, greater industrial development, and the expansion of vocational technical education for the benefit of pupils unprepared for a college education.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 4, 1971, p. 10A.</ref> Armed with strong support in the Minden and south Webster area, Drew easily defeated McConnell, 6,774 votes (57.7 percent) to 4,965 (42.3 percent) in the runoff held on December 18, 1971.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', December 20, 1971, p. 1.</ref>
In the runoff election against Drew, McConnell ran on a platform advocating revision of the state tax code, greater industrial development, and the expansion of vocational technical education for the benefit of pupils unprepared for a college education.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 4, 1971, p. 10A.</ref> Armed with strong support in the Minden and south Webster area, Drew easily defeated McConnell, 6,774 votes (57.7 percent) to 4,965 (42.3 percent) in the runoff held on December 18, 1971.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', December 20, 1971, p. 1.</ref>
In 1982, McConnell was named chairman of the Webster Parish Indigent Defender Board.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', April 12, 1982, p. 1.</ref>
In 1982, McConnell was named chairman of the Webster Parish Indigent Defender Board.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', April 12, 1982, p. 1.</ref>