
Denise Grimsley
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Denise Grimsley
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
University of Miami, Coral Gables, MBA, 2003
Warner Southern College, Lake Wales, BA, 1999
Polk Community College, Bartow, AS, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
Grimsley Groves, Inc, VP, 2004-Present
Florida Hospital, Hospital Administrator, 2013-Present
Grimsley Oil Company, COO, 1996-2004
Various Hospitals, Nurse, 1977-1996
AFFILIATIONS
First Baptist Church of Wauchula, Member, Florida Cattlemen's Association
Member, National Rifle Association, Member
Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, Member, Lake Placid Morning Rotary Club
Member, Hardee Co. Republican Executive Committee, Former Chair
Highlands Co. Republican Executive Committee, Former State Committeewoman, Warner University
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senate, 2012-2018
State Representative, 2004-2012
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2017-18
A+
2018
89%
2017
85%, 83% (cum.)†
2017-18
|A+
2018
|89%
2017
|85%, 83% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2012
|5%
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Maggie's List
Personhood Florida Pro-Life PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Florida Professional Firefighters
Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge
31 Florida Sheriffs To Date
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (10)
Adam Putnam
Ben Albritton
Kathleen Mick Peters
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Maggie's List
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (23)
Associated Builders and Contractors
Ben Albritton
Cary Pigman
Dana Young
David Rivera
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Florida Police Benevolent Association
International Association of Firefighters
National Education Association
Service Employees International Union
Tim Gill
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I can foresee no reason for an abortion other than a rare condition like an ectopic pregnancy where a mother’s life is endangered.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Throughout all of history, mankind’s pride and ambition have created a propensity for the few to gather power and hold sway over the many. This tendency was anticipated by the Founders and held in check by the separation of powers in our Constitution.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a born again believer in Jesus Christ and I believe that God is actively at work in the world and in the affairs of men. My worldview is rooted in a belief that the Bible is His Word to us, and that Jesus Christ embodies absolute truth.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Americans for Prosperity Florida Champion of Freedom Award, 2017 Florida Family Policy Council Champion of the Family, 2016 American Conservative Union “The Defender of Liberty”, 2011; Americans for Prosperity “A” Rating, 2011
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Consistent efforts to reduce and restrain government regulations and the tax burden at all levels of government.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Empower medical professionals in the marketplace to compete and serve their patients directly, thereby reducing the artificial costs built into health care currently.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Government best serves the economy when it positions itself as a minimal actor in the public square. By keeping regulation and taxation to a minimum, government best serves the economy.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I believe we are the sum of our life experiences. I grew up in rural Hardee County and became a registered nurse. In the 90s, when my father became ill, I took over running my family’s business. Today, I serve as administrator of the same rural hospital I was a candy striper in as a teen, and I work daily in my family’s citrus and cattle operations. All of that has led me to where I am and my ongoing passion to serve others.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
denise@denisegrimsley.com Ph. 863-835-0232
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I decided to step into the public square after years trying to run a business and running headlong into bureaucracy. When we talk about the role of government, I saw firsthand that when it’s too big to care, it’s too big to be effective. Regulation and taxation can break a business and an economy. So it’s the school of hard knocks that prepares me for this role and a chance to do better for those government should serve.
If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.
Invest in America’s Future
Join the movement to restore biblical values and constitutional principles in our nation by informing and mobilizing more faith-based voters with the truth.