Demetries Grimes
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Demetries Grimes (Republican Party) ran for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 35. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 20, 2024.
Grimes also ran in a special election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 35. He did not appear on the ballot for the special Republican primary on November 7, 2023.
Biography
Demetries Grimes was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 2017. Grimes received his bachelor's degree from Boston University in 1987. He attended the Joint Military Attaché School in 2006 and undertook Naval War College Postgraduate Studies from 2008 to 2010. He received his executive M.B.A. from the London Business School in 2017. He retired as a commander in the United States Navy. He served as a naval officer, naval aviation, diplomat (in Greece and Israel), and Secretary of Defense fellow. Grimes has been affiliated with the Society of White House Military Aides, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Republican Party.[1][2]
Elections
2024
State House
See also: Florida state legislative special elections, 2024
General election
Special general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Tom Keen defeated Erika Booth in the special general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on January 16, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tom Keen (D)  | 51.3 | 11,392 |
 | Erika Booth (R) | 48.7 | 10,803 | |
| Total votes: 22,195 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Tom Keen defeated Rishi Bagga and Marucci Guzman in the special Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tom Keen | 35.8 | 2,419 |
 | Rishi Bagga | 33.7 | 2,278 | |
 | Marucci Guzman | 30.4 | 2,053 | |
| Total votes: 6,750 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated Scotty Moore and Kenneth Davenport in the special Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Erika Booth | 49.7 | 3,710 |
 | Scotty Moore | 33.6 | 2,507 | |
 | Kenneth Davenport | 16.8 | 1,253 | |
| Total votes: 7,470 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Demetries Grimes (R)
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Grimes in this election.
State House
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated incumbent Tom Keen in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Erika Booth (R) | 52.8 | 46,148 |
| Tom Keen (D) | 47.2 | 41,280 | |
| Total votes: 87,428 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Tom Keen advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35
Erika Booth defeated Laura Gomez McAdams in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 35 on August 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Erika Booth | 63.3 | 5,745 |
 | Laura Gomez McAdams | 36.7 | 3,327 | |
| Total votes: 9,072 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dianna Liebnitzky (R)
- Demetries Grimes (R)
- Fred Hawkins (R)
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Grimes in this election.
2022
See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurel Lee (R) | 58.5 | 145,219 |
 | Alan Cohn (D) | 41.5 | 102,835 | |
| Total votes: 248,054 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Bertges (No Party Affiliation)
- Josue Vazquez (No Party Affiliation)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Alan Cohn defeated Gavin Brown, Eddie Geller, Cesar Ramirez, and William VanHorn in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alan Cohn | 33.1 | 14,928 |
 | Gavin Brown | 22.3 | 10,034 | |
 | Eddie Geller | 21.9 | 9,859 | |
 | Cesar Ramirez | 17.3 | 7,817 | |
 | William VanHorn | 5.4 | 2,435 | |
| Total votes: 45,073 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jesse Philippe (D)
- Lily Ramcharran (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Kelli Stargel, Jackie Toledo, Demetries Grimes, and Kevin McGovern in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurel Lee | 41.5 | 22,481 |
 | Kelli Stargel | 27.8 | 15,072 | |
 | Jackie Toledo | 11.6 | 6,307 | |
 | Demetries Grimes | 10.4 | 5,629 | |
 | Kevin McGovern | 8.7 | 4,713 | |
| Total votes: 54,202 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dennis A. Ross (R)
- Jay Collins (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 26
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated incumbent Carlos Curbelo in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 26 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) | 50.9 | 119,797 |
 | Carlos Curbelo (R) | 49.1 | 115,678 | |
| Total votes: 235,475 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Edward Bonilla (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 26
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated Demetries Grimes in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 26 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | 63.5 | 21,002 |
| Demetries Grimes | 36.5 | 12,098 | |
| Total votes: 33,100 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ricky Junquera (D)
- Steven Machat (D)
- Steve Smith (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 26
Incumbent Carlos Curbelo defeated Souraya Faas in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 26 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Carlos Curbelo | 84.0 | 29,508 |
 | Souraya Faas | 16.0 | 5,629 | |
| Total votes: 35,137 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2024
State House
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Demetries Grimes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
State House
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Demetries Grimes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Demetries Grimes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grimes' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Commander Demetries Grimes is a lifelong Central Floridian, second generation navy veteran, combat decorated former US naval officer, aviator, Afghanistan war veteran, military prosecutor and judge in trials of Al Qaida, Taliban, and other terrorists, diplomat in Israel and Greece, executive, and published writer on national security and foreign affairs. He has completed seven deployments, more than one hundred combat missions flown from aircraft carriers, including two deployments to Afghanistan. He is a Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow, a former White House military Aide, and served in strategy and leadership roles at the Pentagon and NATO headquarters.
Grimes has an MBA from The London Business School and BA in International Relations from Boston University. He has completed postgraduate studies in Strategy and National Security Decision Making at the US Naval War College, and Crisis Response Operations at the NATO School.
Grimes’ awards include three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, five Strike Flight Air Medals, five Navy Commendation Medals including Combat “V” for Valor, Israeli Defense Forces Medal, two State Department Meritorious Honor Awards and various campaign awards.
Grimes is running for the new Congressional seat to be established in Central Florida. Long time Central Florida GOP activist, JC Martin, has joined as his Campaign Manag
- Economy. Grimes will fight to eliminate bloated and parasitic government intrusion into our economic lives. Energy independence and a production-based economy built on fair trade policies are the keys to successful American competition and economic prosperity. Grimes will work to reduce regulatory burdens that suppress growth and will prioritize building critical and resilient infrastructure, such as ports, roads, railways and electrical grids that serve America’s economic interests. The business of America is business, not government.
- Security. “The world benefits from a strong America.” America’s security comes first. We will promote US global leadership and the development of capabilities required to deter aggression, respond to crisis, defend our homeland, meet our commitments to allies, and ensure Allies honor their treaty obligations. Effective diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution can only be achieved from a position of strength and moral authority. American liberty does not defend itself. Military, intelligence, and diplomatic weakness and American absence invite aggression from countries seeking to re-write the rules of the world order. At home, Grimes will support law enforcement and first responders and ensure they are funded and well supported.
- Freedom. “Every decision in Congress must be guided by the question: “Is this Constitutional?” Commander Grimes has honored his oath and is ready to defend the rights guaranteed to fellow Americans by the Constitution. Grimes will fight to protect life, religious freedom, the right to bear arms, privacy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. Grimes will challenge all forms of government overreach and ensure laws are fair, blind to prejudice, and fairly enforced.
“All government policy priorities must be aimed at making and keeping America strong. Our Nation lives up to its values of faith, family, and freedom by putting America and the American people first.”
Commander Demetries Grimes, United States Navy, Ret.
Commander Grimes understands the threats America faces from adversaries abroad and from within. He believes every decision in Congress must be guided by the question: “Is this Constitutional?” He will fight to protect life, religious freedom, the right to bear arms, election integrity, privacy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. Grimes will challenge all forms of government overreach and ensure laws are fair, blind to prejudice, and fairly enforced. Grimes is ready to represent and serve the people of Florida and our great Nation again.
Commander Grimes believes America’s economic, military, and leadership strength as a steadfast force for peace and freedom serves in the best interest of America and the world. US energy independence secures America’s economy and brings global economic stability.
Grimes is running for the new Congressional seat to be established in Central Florida. Long time Central Florida GOP activist, JC Martin, has joined as his Campaign Manager.
Commander Grimes Is honored to have your support.
Thank you for helping make a difference for Florida and America!
https://www.grimesflorida.com/
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.
Representing and serving the people and Nation honorably.
Honor, courage, and integrity.
Exercising good judgement, serving honorably, and ensuring all government policy priorities are aimed at making and keeping America strong. Our Nation lives up to its values of faith, family, and freedom by putting America and the American people first.
Exemplary service to our great Nation.
Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. An authentic guide to self reflection, improvement, and service.
It’s the End of the World as We Know It
Song by R.E.M.
Seeing elected and appointed officials who pretend to represent us violate the oath they took to support and defend the Constitution.
The House has several unique powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President of the United States of America in the case of an Electoral College tie.
It is not beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government. The current crisis in government is directly attributed to “professional politicians,” many of whom have no military, diplomatic, or business experience. The “Founding Fathers” envisioned “citizen servants” who would temporarily take leave from their professions to serve in government.
Commander Grimes, through his service in multiple combat and conflict zones around the world, has seen first-hand the best and worst of humanity, the success of strong American leadership, and the consequences of weak American leadership. He believes America’s economic, military, and leadership strength as a steadfast force for peace and freedom serves in the best interest of America and the world. US energy independence secures America’s economy and brings global economic stability.
Commander Grimes understands the threats America faces from adversaries abroad and from within. He believes every decision in Congress must be guided by the question: “Is this Constitutional?” He will fight to protect life, religious freedom, the right to bear arms, election integrity, privacy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. Grimes will challenge all forms of government overreach and ensure laws are fair, blind to prejudice, and fairly enforced. Grimes is ready to represent and serve the people of Florida and our great Nation again.
Intelligence, Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs.
Yes, but there should be term limits of no more than eight years total.
I support term limits.
Congressman Michael Waltz, warrior, diplomat, congressman.
The parents of a Marine killed in a training accident who shared the story of how proud their son was to serve and thanked me for stepping up to serve again reminded me how important it is to live up to the expectations of those we serve and have given more than we may know.
Ronald Reagan’s Cold War anecdotes.
There is no room for compromise on the Constitution and freedom. Other policy or budget matters should be dealt with as required.
Fiscal responsibility will be a top priority for Commander Grimes.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Grimes' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
AMERICAN JOBS Commander Grimes will fight to eliminate bloated and parasitic government intrusion into our economic lives. Energy independence and a production-based economy built on fair trade policies are the keys to successful American competition and economic prosperity. Grimes will work to reduce regulatory burdens that suppress growth and will prioritize building critical and resilient infrastructure, such as ports, roads, railways and electrical grids that serve America’s economic interests. The business of America is business, not government.
“We Floridians have a special affection for the environment.” Commander Grimes will promote efforts to conserve our natural resources, coast lines, and waters. We do not have to choose between the environment, energy independence, and economic growth. We can conserve our natural resources and protect our agricultural industry, coast lines, and waterways through responsible infrastructure development and resilience against natural disasters. We will continue to protect and preserve the world treasures of the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida’s waterways.
“The world benefits from a strong America.” America’s security comes first. Grimes will promote US leadership and development of capabilities required to deter aggression, respond to crisis, defend our homeland and meet our commitments to dedicated allies and partners such as Israel (Learn More). He will ensure Allies honor their treaty obligations. Effective diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution can only be achieved from a position of strength and moral authority. American liberty does not defend itself. Military, intelligence, and diplomatic weakness invite aggression from adversaries seeking to advance their authoritarian ambitions. At home, Grimes will support law enforcement and first responders. He will ensure they are funded and well supported to serve their communities effectively.
“Every decision in Congress must be guided by the question: “Is this Constitutional?” Commander Grimes has honored his oath and is ready to defend the rights guaranteed to fellow Americans by the Constitution. Grimes will fight to protect life, religious freedom, the right to bear arms, privacy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. Grimes will challenge all forms of government overreach and ensure laws are fair, blind to prejudice, and fairly enforced.[3] |
” |
| —Demetries Grimes' campaign website (2022)[4] | ||
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
Grimes submitted the following campaign themes through Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form:
| “ | I’m running for the United States Congress because I love our great nation, I respect our institutions and am deeply concerned about the direction this great nation has taken. Democrats in South Florida, in particular in the 26th Congressional district, need a credible leader who can win in November. A proven, trusted, and capable leader who has led people of all colors and creeds and from all walks of life.
Now is the time to commit to a new kind of politics and leadership - where the right answer, that puts people first, matters more than politics. This campaign is about the people, our nation, and our shared values. For more than 25 years as a Naval Officer I served all Americans. Today, I stand ready to serve again, to listen & lead, rebuild & repair, create jobs, improve our schools, healthcare, & ensure that our Government is always focused on doing what is just for all Americans.[3] |
” |
| —Demetries Grimes | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on March 7, 2018.
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 28, 2022
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Grimes for Congress, “Home,” accessed August 22, 2022
