Political science major puts studies in action for friend
Derek Grimes already has his foot in the political door. Grimes, a junior, is serving as campaign treasurer for Tami Wenning, who is running for state representative in District 67.
The seat was vacated by Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, who retired after holding the seat for 16 years.
Grimes, a Greensburg native, has been working for Wenning since high school and he believes she is well-suited for the job.
“The best part about running with her is that she wants to go about this the right way,” Grimes said. “We don’t have a lot of money and she’s not willing to sell out to get money.”
Wenning said Grimes has been an indispensable part of her campaign.
“I admire his work ethic,” she said. “It’s a blessing when you find someone enthusiastic enough about something to come up with their own ideas. I don’t have to bounce ideas off him — he comes to me with them first.”
Despite his early start in government, Grimes said he has little ambitions for a career in politics.
“I would like to do some kind of work in government — maybe local or state,” Grimes said. “But I don’t have any aspirations to go to Washington.”
Grimes is studying political science with a minor in journalism. He said his love of writing has helped the campaign and provided a fruitful hobby.
“Sometimes I’ll just sit down and write something, just to clear my head,” he said. “It’s a good way to vent frustrations and sometimes you end up with a pretty entertaining product at the end.”
Grimes is a commuter who doesn’t mind the hour-long trip to campus.
“My passion is driving,” he said. “There’s something about driving long distances, music blaring and windows down that soothes me.”
Grimes said Wenning has given him a good start to a political career and he is willing to work with her as long as she will have him.
