Last spring, Danny Cox was a marketing junior who claimed to have limited political interest and was looking to pursue his family's business of pharmaceutical sales. By August this year, Cox was the assistant political director of Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
Within months, Cox climbed the ranks of the John McCain campaign, starting as an intern and ending as a field organizer where he oversaw all interns and volunteers. Immediately after his time with the McCain campaign, the Trump campaign approached and hired him. He dropped out of school to completely pursue the campaign trail.
"It's kind of an odd feeling — one day I'm a student looking for an entry-level job with an entry-level salary … the next thing I knew I was the political director for the entire state for this big presidential campaign," Cox said. "This is something I would imagine would take a matter of years, not months … but I couldn't be more grateful to get this experience so young."
He said he credits his success to being constantly available, dependable and willing to do anything asked of him. Before working at the McCain campaign, he had no interest in pursuing politics. He said he applied for the internship with the McCain campaign on the recommendation of a friend.
At the Trump campaign, Cox handled event planning, spoke at conservative clubs and worked with the media director, among other various tasks.
Hunter Hall is the state director of the Republican National Convention. He said Cox's work ethic and dependability was the key to his success.
"Danny was the go-to guy in the Trump campaign in Arizona," Hall said. "If you needed to get something done you knew he could do it. (His age) was an advantage because he had the time and the opportunity to work the hours that were needed."
Hall also said he's never seen someone as young as Cox work at such a high level on a presidential campaign.
On the Trump campaign, Cox managed all campaign materials such as hats, shirts and yard signs. The Arizona Trump campaign broke the previous state record of 30,000 yard signs by giving out 65,000 signs.
Cox said the cyclical nature of elections also contributed to his ability to climb the ranks of the campaign.
Phil Lovas is an Arizona state representative and the chairman of the Arizona Trump campaign. He said Danny's young age was an advantage.
"Danny brought a different perspective for reaching Millennials and college-aged students," Lovas said. "Danny's got very good political instincts. ... He was a big help on my side of the campaign and the entire team itself."
Cox is now re-enrolled for the spring semester as a political science major. He also said he has his eyes set on a job with the administration.
"I was fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time and impress the people on my way up," Cox said. "When you need a spot filled, you got to go with who you have. … the Trump campaign needed me for what I did."
Reach the reporter at Garrison.Murphy@asu.edu or follow @Garrison_Murphy on Twitter.
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