#derekennis

He ran on the issue of “safe fun” when campaigning nearly three decades ago to become the student government president at West Liberty State College. That was during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 academic years and the annual Homecoming Dance was held in downtown Wheeling. So, his first campaign platform was to bring the event to campus so he and his fellow students weren’t forced to travel on the rural roads of Ohio County. “It was a long time ago, but in a way, it feels like it was yesterday, too,” Ennis said. “It was a lot of fun for me to be involved the way I was with student government, and it was a great way for me to build my resume at the time. Plus, there were some things that I wanted to help change, and that’s what we did. Ennis was graduated from West Liberty University in 2001, and then he earned his Master's from Marshall while beginning his career in coal mine safety. “One example was the Homecoming dances we had back then down at what was known then as the Civic Center,” he recalled. “A lot of people felt that we could change venues for a better atmosphere, so that’s what we did. I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it was for the college kids that wanted to make Homecoming a more personal experience, and I think that’s what we accomplished.” Year No. 2? Well, his campaign promise was to fight for an on-campus beach volleyball court. “There were a number of students back then that supported the construction of a beach volleyball court over the hill from the Student Union near where the Campbell Science Building is now, and it was a lot of fun once it was completed,” Ennis remembered. “It’s not there now because of the construction that’s taken place on campus since then, but that was something else we got done. Derek places his family first while he's navigating his job, his real estate business, and now his campaign for District 4-House of Delegates. “My thought at the time was that we wanted to have a lot of fun while we were in college, so why not make it safer? Keeping our students closer to campus just seemed to make sense,” he explained. “That’s why we moved to the dance to campus, had the beach volleyball court installed, and had live concerts on campus, too.” His college campaigns, though, were not as complex as his primary run in the 4th House District. “Back then, I grabbed a couple of my old sheets from my dorm room and I spray painted on them my name and my little logo and then hung those sheets out of my dorm window,” Ennis remembered. “I got candy bars to pass out in front of the Student Union, and that way I was able to talk with a lot of students back then. So, I guess we were doing the same things back then that we do now during a campaign, but there’s a lot more to it now. “The radio commercials, the videos, going to all of the events; it’s been a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed meeting so many people in the county,” he said. “But the issues are far important than a dance and a volleyball court, that’s for sure.” Ennis has served as his own campaign manager during the Republican primary in the 4th House District. Then and Now Instead of dance venues and sandy recreation, the issues facing Ennis now as someone hoping to represent the 4th District involve the economy, infrastructure, public education, tourism, and West Virginia families. “It’s definitely different now,” he said. “But it’s also the same in some ways because one of the first lessons I learned in college about running for that office was that I wasn’t always right just because I was the candidate. I had to learn from the other students back then just like I’ve learned from the (potential) constituents now,” he explained. “Back then, maybe the big issue was to have a beach volleyball court so the students could stay close to campus, but now the biggest issue is trying to give families reasons to stay here. “Ohio County is a special little area. We have a lot to offer,” the Republican candidate insisted. “I want to be the voice for our community in Charleston, and I want to protect the special things that we do have in our community. Communities are built by families, and I'm a family guy. I'm an Ohio County resident who is a blue-collar guy who also owns a business, so I think I have a fair approach and a balanced voice that will help me fulfill the Delegate role in Charleston next year.” The environment is something Ennis appreciates very much and - if elected - he hopes to work with administrators with the state Division of Natural Resources. His knock-and-talk efforts, Ennis admitted, have been impeded by track meets and other after-school events, but he’s still done his best to meet as many could-be constituents as possible. “It was about building relationships then, and it’s the same today,” he said. “Now that I’ve been running a primary campaign for a couple of months, I can say there are a lot similarities between what I did back then to what I’ve been doing this spring. “I connected with people then like I am now, and I’ve learned a lot because people are going to have different opinions and different outlooks,” Ennis added. “In college, running for student government president may have been able building my resume, but now it’s more about my kids being able to live close so, if and when they make me a grandfather, they’re here instead of having to move away.” Read the full article

Derek Ennis is a candidate in the Republican Primary for the 4th District of the House of Delegates, and he’s listed his “Top Issues” as Family Strength, Economic Development, Infrastructure Maintenance, Educating to Individuals, Tourism and Natural Resource Management. Below, Mr. Ennis answers specific questions concerning each of those issues. Ennis is very interactive with his children and their education in the Ohio County Schools system. FAMILY STRENGTH – If you are elected to the state House of Delegates, what is the first thing you would propose to strengthen families in West Virginia? Strong families are the foundation of a stronger West Virginia. We already have key advantages like affordable housing, close-knit communities, and a slower pace of life that allows families to stay connected. That is something we should protect and intentionally promote to attract young families who want stability, safety, and community. At the same time, we need to strengthen the systems families interact with when challenges arise. That includes reviewing family court and child welfare processes to improve transparency, consistency, and timeliness. Cases should move efficiently, with clear standards and safeguards that keep children from being caught in prolonged disputes or used as leverage. We should also be honest about legislative follow-through. Important family-focused reforms have failed in the past session due to timing limitations in the 60-day legislative calendar. That is not a judgment on any single bill, but it does highlight a structural issue: meaningful reform is allowed to expire before it can be completed in WV.  This Mountaineer thinks it's odd how I must timely pay my taxes each year or face legal problems; however, WV lawmakers are allowed to run out of time when debating issues directly related to child safety and the deplorable 91% failure of CPS!  I will, no - must, raise that standard when elected.  As part of a 2027 focus, I would support revisiting unfinished legislation, studying why it stalled, and refining it into practical, workable policy.  This reflection would also include sparking conversations on evaluating whether West Virginia should modernize its legislative calendar to allow more time for complex issues. Derek made a few trips to Charleston during the state's Legislature's regular session so he could get his eyes on the lawmaking process. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – What legislation would you compose that would increase the state’s support for entrepreneurs in West Virginia? West Virginia’s growth should be built from within by supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local industry.  That means reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, simplifying licensing, and expanding access to start-up capital for small operators. We also need to tell our own success stories. The West Virginia Great Barrel Company (WVGBC) is a strong example of what local manufacturing can look like when craftsmanship, natural resources, and entrepreneurship align in the aftermath of flooding and deviation. It shows that value-added production can thrive in West Virginia when we support it properly. Communities like Valley Grove and Triadelphia highlight both the challenges and the opportunity. When infrastructure and weather events strain a region, we need to pair recovery with long-term investment so small businesses and working families can rebuild and grow. I would also support transportation planning that strengthens local economic corridors. Specifically, improving access into Triadelphia and Route 40 development rather than focusing only on highway on-ramp from I-70 to the Highlands. Economic development should help towns grow, not route opportunity around them. The Ennis family enjoys their excursions in the region, including this one to Top Golf in Bridgeville, PA. INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE – What do you believe are the biggest issues right now when it comes to maintaining the secondary roads in West Virginia? Secondary roads are one of the most important systems in West Virginia, and they face constant stress from terrain, weather, and aging infrastructure. Slips, drainage failures, and washouts require more proactive maintenance rather than reactive repair cycles. The Valley Grove and Triadelphia flooding underscored this reality. Roads, guardrails, and drainage systems were overwhelmed, and recovery has required sustained effort.  Moving forward, we need stronger flood mitigation planning including creek and stream maintenance, culvert upgrades, slope stabilization, and better emergency preparedness coordination. Just as important is long-term follow-through so that communities are not only repaired but made more resilient against future events. Derek places his family first while he's navigating his job, his real estate business, and now his campaign for District 4-House of Delegates. EDUCATING TO INDIVIDUALS – What suggestions would you make to improve how the state’s public school system addresses the needs of each student? Education should be built around the individual student, not a one-size-fits-all system. That includes stronger tutoring support, flexible learning pathways, and expanded career and technical education alongside traditional academic tracks. For students with IEPs and neurodivergent learning needs, the goal should always be high expectation paired with strong support. An IEP should never become a substitute for engagement or effort. It should be a structured plan that ensures the student receives the tools they need to succeed. That means more consistent one-on-one support, targeted interventions, and after-school or supplemental tutoring options when needed. At the same time, we need to improve how we understand student development more broadly like nutrition, developmental readiness, behavioral issues, and the amount of love they receive at home, all play a role in learning readiness. That conversation should be evidence-based and focused on outcomes, not assumptions of current paradigms.  Schools should not be forced to absorb every societal responsibility, but they do play a critical role in identifying needs early and coordinating with families and community resources so students can succeed. As society transitions into A.I. self-paced learning,  this future WV delegate is already asking, "What other areas of childhood development can public education impact beyond the classroom learning experience?"  Derek has been an avid hunter since he and his late father used to go together since his childhood. TOURISM and NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – What are your ideas to help the state’s natural beauty be utilized more effectively to bolster West Virginia’s tourism industry? West Virginia’s natural beauty is one of our greatest economic assets. Mountains, rivers, trails, and small towns define both our identity and our opportunity. We should continue investing in outdoor recreation, river access, parks, and local tourism businesses while protecting the environment that makes these places special. Just as importantly, we should market West Virginia as a place to live, not just visit, because affordability, safety, and community are increasingly rare nationwide. Tourism and natural resource development should work together to strengthen small towns and create sustainable local jobs. Read the full article

Hmm that’s good too… Ennerek