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-Chuck Grimes-
A representative for all Tennessee republicans

Raised with Christian values by a hard-working father and mother, Chuck credits his family and small-town upbringing with his confident conservatism. He fell in love with politics and government in elementary school and was actively campaigning for local candidates in West Tennessee before high school. He has now served and supported the Republican Party and its candidates for almost 25 years, campaigning for individual office-seekers and trying to educate citizens about their government to get them more involved in the process along the way. Through personal, political, and professional roles, Chuck learned how important it is the listen to people from all walks of life in setting priorities as a Party and a government. Chuck has always believed that, in addition to recruiting candidates and winning elections, the Party must educate and activate the Electorate. As District 21's State Executive Committeeman, he will listen to all Republicans and work hard to accomplish those goals.

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Below are highlights of Chuck's life of active political service:

  • Late 1980s - Chuck's mom always asserts that his political fascination began at around three years old when a candidate for Henderson County Sherriff knocked on the door of Chuck's babysitter's home while campaigning. Got to start early!

  • 1998 - The family of Mr. Carthel Smith, Esq., a longtime Henderson County attorney, approached Chuck (already a young political junkie) about supporting his run for Circuit Court Judge. Chuck eagerly wore "Smith for Judge" buttons and stickers for weeks, giving them out to friends and strangers and posting signs wherever he could. While Mr. Smith did not win, it was an energizing experience for a kid with political drive and interest of his own. 

  • 2000-2002 - While the income tax debate raged in Nashville, Chuck was leading students to question and push against some of the negative effects of budget cuts and other unfortunate policy shifts in his school system.

  • Fall 2002 - Chuck began his Political Science degree pursuit at the University of Memphis and sought out the campus's College Republican chapter. Thanks to upperclassman and trailblazing Republican Don Johnson (not the one from "Miami Vice," though), he connected with the group and quickly insisted that the club have more frequent meetings and events.

  • Spring 2003 - Chuck became Vice President of the University of Memphis College Republicans, vowing to see them become a more vocal and visible force on campus and to be actively involved in area campaigns.

  • Fall 2003 - Chuck led a group of UofM College Republicans volunteering for several days with the Haley Barbour for Governor Campaign in northern Mississippi. 

  • Late Fall 2003 - Chuck became President of the University of Memphis College Republicans, spending the next two years building a larger membership; hosting numerous voter registration drives; better connecting with the Shelby Co. Young Republicans and the overall Shelby County GOP; leading door-knocking, neighborhood canvassing, and phone-banking efforts for numerous state and local candidates; and serving as a spokesperson for the often unheard conservative voices on a public university campus.

  • Spring 2006 - In his final undergraduate semester, Chuck temporarily moved to Nashville to serve as a legislative intern to (then) State Senate Majority Leader and, later, Lieutenant Governor, Ron Ramsey. This eye-opening experience gave Chuck a rare up-close view of Republican leadership at work and opened doors for the future.

  • Summer 2007 - After living in Memphis for another year, Chuck accepted the offer to return to Nashville (long-term) and serve as a staff assistant to State Senate Majority Leader (now U.S. District Judge) Mark Norris. He would work in this role for 4 1/2 years, again seeing Republican leadership at work while watching the gradual increase in our Republican Senate majority, as well as the true Republican majority transformation of the Tennessee House of Representatives. 

  • Early 2010 - Chuck joined a new officer team of the Davidson County Young Republicans committed to increasing membership and activity and engaging more with local College Republican chapters. Chuck led many YR volunteer groups in support of candidates in and out of Nashville, conducting extensive neighborhood canvassing and phone-banking. He also led the club's much needed review and rewrite of its bylaws.  

  • 2011 - Chuck served as Chairman of the Davidson County Young Republicans, hosting great speakers and determined to break the assumption that political clubs only stay active during election years. This would be the first of three roles over the years that would put Chuck on the County Executive Committee of the Davidson County Republican Party, at that time under Chairlady Kathleen Starnes.

  • 2013-2017 - Chuck served as a Council District Chair and, later, as Southeast Regional Vice-Chair for the Davidson County Republican Party, under Chairmen Robert Duvall and Bob Ries. In 2013, 2015, and 2017, Chuck also served on the Contest & Credentials Committees that organized the DCRP biennial conventions and officiated the officer election process.

  • 2017-2021 - Chuck served on the By-Laws Committee for the Davidson County Republican Party under the leadership of current DCRP Chairman Jim Garrett.

  • Summer 2020 - After the Metro Council's foolish decision to increase property taxes by 34%, Chuck acquired many signatures on the petition to amend the Metro Charter and prevent such out-of-control taxation.

  • August 2021 - A few months after the passing of former DCRP Chairman, former Metro Councilman, and District 21 State Executive Committeeman Robert Duvall, a select subcommittee of SEC members Beverly Knight-Hurley, Chase Montgomery, and Michelle Foreman nominated Chuck to complete the unexpired term of his friend on the State Executive Committee. Chuck gratefully accepted the nomination and was elected by a unanimous vote at the August SEC meeting held in Tennessee's beautiful and historic House Chamber. 

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