Malcolm Derk

Malcolm L. Derk, III

Born	(1982-05-12)May 12, 1982 Williamsport, PA
Alma mater	Susquehanna University
Occupation	Snyder County Commissioner
Home town	Freeburg, PA
Successor	Incumbent
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Erin Goedegebuure
Website	www.derkforcongress.com

Malcolm L. Derk, III is a Republican Commissioner of Snyder County, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest person ever elected to this position.^[1] Snyder County is located in Central Pennsylvania and has a population of approximately 38,200 people.^[2]

2010 Congressional Election

On December 21, 2009 Malcolm Derk officially announced his candidacy for PA's 10th District seat in the US House of Representatives. He was the first Republican to formally seek the 2010 nomination. Derk said he entered the race due to Chris Carney's votes on the stimulus package and the House health care overhaul bill.^[3] Congressman Chris Carney currently holds the 10th district seat and was first elected in 2006.

The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) both consider Carney to be vulnerable. The NRCC has started airing radio ads attacking Carney, and the DCCC has placed him in their Frontline Program, which is a special group for the DCCC's most at-risk members.^[4]^[5] The Cook Partisan Voting Index gives the seat an R+8 rating.

PA's 10th Congressional District includes all of Snyder, Union, Montour, Northumberland, Bradford, Wayne, Wyoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Pike Counties and parts of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming and Tioga counties.

In the primary election on May 18, 2010, Tom Marino officially won a double-digit victory over both Derk and David Madeira. Derk conceded the race in a telephone call to Marino around 10:40 p.m.^[6]^[7] In September 2010, Derk offered his endorsement to Tom Marino in his bid to unseat Chris Carney.^[8]

Career

Malcolm Derk was elected Vice Chair of the Snyder County Board of Commissioners in 2007. He joined Joe Kantz in defeating the two incumbent Republican Commissioners by a 2 to 1 margin in the Republican primary.^[9] Upon taking office, Derk and Kantz immediately instituted county-wide reforms^[10] and pledged to be full-time Commissioners, which had traditionally not been the case for this position.^[11] Pennsylvania County Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the county government and county budget.^[12] The Snyder County Commissioners passed a balanced budget without a tax increase in January 2009.^[13] Derk is currently Snyder County's representative on the SEDA-COG Board of Directors and was recently elected as the organization's Treasurer.^[14] He is also the past President of the Snyder County 4-H.^[15]

On November 8, 2011, Derk was re-elected as Snyder County Commissioner, receiving the most votes of any candidate.^[16]

Before running for Commissioner, Derk served on the Freeburg Borough Council between 2002 and 2007. He was President of the Freeburg Borough Council from 2006-2007.^[17] Derk also worked for Susquehanna University's Business Services office and later for the University's Public Relations office where he served as Assistant Director of the Susquehanna University Fund.^[18]

Bailout of Boscov's Department Store

In 2008, the Snyder County Commissioners were asked by Pennsylvania State officials to issue a $5 million loan to the struggling department store.^[19] Despite a personal plea from the store's owner, Al Boscov, the Commissioners rejected the bailout proposal. The loan would have required the County to use their Community Development Block Grant Funding as collateral, a step the Commissioners were unwilling to take.^[20]^[21]^[22] Proponents of the bailout argued that Boscov's provided jobs.^[23] Opponents argued that taxpayer funds should not be used to bail out a private enterprise.^[24] As of October, 2009, the Snyder County Boscov's department store remained in business.

Education

Derk attended Susquehanna University from 2001 to 2005. He received a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Religion. During his time at Susquehanna he was very involved with the Student Government Association and served as President both his junior and senior years. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Personal life

Derk was born in Williamsport, PA and grew up in the Central Susquehanna Valley, which encompasses Snyder, Union, Montour, and Northumberland counties. He currently serves as a supply pastor for several congregations in Snyder and Northumberland counties.

Malcolm met his wife, Erin, at Susquehanna University where she graduated in 2006. She received her master's degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University. They live in Freeburg, PA with their two young sons.

References

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