Demetries "Commander" Grimes
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Demetries "Commander" Grimes
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 15
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
London Business School, London, United Kingdom, MBA, 2017
US Naval War College, Newport, RI, Postgraduate Studies in Strategy & National Security Decision Making, 2010
Boston University, Boston, MA, International Relations, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy / Naval Officer / Naval Aviator, Commander, 25+
AFFILIATIONS
Greek Orthodox Leadership 100, Member, Republican Jewish Coalition
Member, American Legion, Member
(AHEPA) American Hellenic Progressive Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NA, NA
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Congress, 2018
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (4)
*Dr. Rich Swier
Florida Republican Assembly
Florida Republican Assembly - Orange County Chapter
*Republican Liberty Caucus
OTHER (1)
*David Friedman
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Ambassador David Friedman
Florida Republican Assembly
Born to Ride for 45
Winter Haven 912 Group
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)
Gus Michael Bilirakis (2022)
Jake Hoffman (FL) (2021)
Jimmy Patronis Jr. (2022)
Lauren Boebert (2021)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Seth W. Moulton (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree, and the restriction should be applied to foreign aid as well. The recent Supreme Court decision to return Roe vs Wade is a victory for the Constitution and States’ rights.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree with the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe extenuating circumstances include: rape, incest, and a serious risk of life to the mother.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that Americans are best supported by sound fiscal policies that promote investment, economic growth, and smaller, but more effective government. Restoring American energy independence, dominance, and energy diversity is essential to strengthening the US economy.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
I believe the duty of Congress is to produce and manage America’s budget, responsibly.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code must be simplified. All forms of taxation must be reduced.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree that religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree that individuals and/or businesses should be required to provide services that violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
I believe the relationship between the church and state must remain separate but respectful of each other.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe there are circumstances in which a government, school, or employer should be allowed to require vaccines.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
Demetries “Commander” Grimes will introduce and promote legislation to ensure that only qualified recipients receive social security and Medicare.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
I believe, "The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger." America’s security and interests come first. Effective diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution can only be achieved from a position of strength and moral authority.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
I do NOT support the BDS movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from the "so called" occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees. The BDS movement is anti-Semitic racism disguised as political activism.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree that the Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States. I believe China is an adversary, and America must lead the global divestment from China.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I believe America must be steadfast in efforts to defund, deter, and defeat Islamic terror networks.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree that the United States should do more to physically secure our southern border. The Biden administration’s support for open borders and consequence-free illegal immigration has turned the U.S. Government into the world’s largest human trafficking organization. The Biden administration has exhibited a willful disregard for longstanding immigration laws and policies, straining the resources of states well beyond the southern border, and turning every state into a 'border state.’
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree that effective efforts must be made to end institutionalized support for illegal immigration.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe quotas and strict criteria must be established to ensure criminals are not seeking sanctuary in the U.S.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree with discrimination.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist. CRT is racist hate speech disguised as academic theory.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a proud Greek Orthodox Christian and member of Greek Orthodox Leadership 100.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree that people should be able to vote without photo identification. Election integrity is vital to the survival of our Republic.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
States have an obligation to ensure election security and integrity.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I do NOT believe reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Individuals must be held accountable for their actions. Elected and appointed officials have an obligation to ensure the rule of law is respected.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources. American energy independence is vital to our economy and national security.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
I believe stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Please visit my website, Grimes.GOP.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have NEVER been accused, convicted of a felony, or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Please visit my website, Grimes.GOP.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
We must protect our men and women in blue who put their lives at risk to ensure that our communities are safe. I strongly agree police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I do NOT support defunding the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No elected or appointed official or government employee has the authority to infringe upon the constitutional right of law abiding citizens.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree that victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers. Individuals must be held accountable for their actions in accordance with the rule of law.
