Chuck Grimes
Chuck Grimes is a lifelong Tennessean and a lifelong Republican. Born and raised in Lexington, Henderson County, he attended public schools and grew up in a family of hard-working blue collar professionals and creative small business owners. He developed a love of politics and government at an early age and started volunteering for local campaigns in the 8th Grade. Chuck accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior as a teenager, though he still fails Him every day. Raised in a church where he heard Biblical preaching and good Gospel music, he first observed servant leadership as his parents, grandparents, and extended family kept the church going and growing for many years. While earning his Political Science degree (with Communication minor) from the University of Memphis, Chuck led the College Republicans for three years, raising issue awareness and public visibility, significantly growing the membership, and turning that club into a go-to source of volunteers for multiple candidates in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi. After serving as a legislative intern for future Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and graduating college, Chuck moved to Nashville in 2007 to serve on the staff of Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris. There he saw Republican leadership at work on a daily basis. As a resident of Nashville, he became part of a group that revitalized the Davidson County Young Republicans and led the complete rewrite of the group's bylaws before later becoming Chairman himself. As YR Chair, he organized campaign volunteer efforts in and out of Davidson County and built a stronger working relationship with the county party. In more recent years, Chuck has served on the Davidson County Republican Party Executive Committee and been a member of three Contest & Credentials Committees for the local party. After the unfortunate loss of his friend Robert Duvall, Chuck accepted the offer to join the TNGOP State Executive Committee to complete Committeeman Duvall's unexpired term. Very fond of service beyond politics as well, Chuck has supported and volunteered in numerous philanthropic causes over the years, particularly with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association during his years in Nashville. He now works for The College System of Tennessee, serving our community and technical colleges from the system's office in Nashville. Chuck and his wife, Krista, live in the Cane Ridge area of District 21, where they also got married at the historic Cane Ridge Community Center. A member of their homeowners’ association board since 2017, he was elected HOA President in January 2021 and has advocated for responsible development around their subdivision. The Grimes have two children, Joey and Ella, and attend Forest Hills Baptist Church in Brentwood.
​
meet TEAM GRIMES!
Krista Grimes
Though they would not be married until 12 years later, Chuck met his beautiful bride in college at the University of Memphis. They worked in similar roles as Resident Advisors and took a couple of classes together. As opposites often attract, Krista is quieter and more reserved than Chuck, which keeps him grounded. She is a hard-working and brilliant educator who has taught Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd Grades over a 16+-year career in public schools. Additionally, she has been a contributor to three elementary level Tennessee history/geography texts published by "Tennessee History for Kids" and been a mentor to multiple new and student teachers in West and Middle Tennessee. Krista is a wonderful mother to little Ella and bonus mom to Joey. She proved to be particularly strong and durable when she received a dreaded breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 but fought through her treatments like a warrior, all just after little Ella turned one. Krista is cancer-free now and tries to give back to support those suffering through it when she can. Krista's counsel on issues is important to Chuck as he observes and interacts with our changing society. She has watched and stood by Chuck through most of the professional and political milestones in his life.
Joey
This awesome 10-year-old boy has, like any child, grown up in a flash right before his parents' eyes. He is a high-performing student who is excitedly looking toward middle school here in Nashville. Joey's favorite animal is the tiger, Chuck's high school and college mascot. Since he was a toddler, Joey has loved the music and movies of Elvis Presley, spending countless hours with his Daddy rocking out with the King. That, and his own creativity and fun personality make him a natural young performer, participating in his school's drama club and attending yearly performing arts camps at Graceland. He is a terrific big brother to little Ella and has taught her a lot. Joey keeps Chuck thinking hard and laughing harder. He is one of Chuck's greatest inspirations to keep finding ways to serve - for the future. You'll see more of Joey as Team Grimes shows off the great spots throughout Senate District 21!
Ella
This spunky five-year-old is a ball of energy with a fast-growing vocabulary and a love of any playground she sees. She loved going to Pre-K "at Mommy's school" where Krista teaches. She makes friends quickly, at school, at church, and everywhere else. Quite the girly-girl, she loves princesses and all things pink. Everyone in the neighborhood looks to Ella as a smiling dose of sunshine on any kind of day. She has completed two years of dance classes and grown as a young performer. She enjoys breaking out her moves at home, at school, in stores, in restaurants... and anywhere else the mood strikes. A fan of elephants (or, as Chuck calls them, "Ella-phants"), she has many in her room and loves to visit the real things at the Nashville Zoo (in the heart of District 21). Ella adores her big brother and, with Joey, is part of the dynamic duo of fun in the Grimes home. She, too, will help add to the fun of showing you more great spots in District 21!