State Rep. David Grimes, R-Montgomery, will run for the congressional
seat now held by Republican Terry Everett, who is retiring.
The Associated Press
March 8, 2008
TROY -- State Rep. David Grimes kicked off his campaign Friday for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District seat, calling for lower taxes, less government, a tough stand on illegal immigrants and keeping troops in Iraq to finish the mission.
Grimes, an independent insurance broker in his second term in the state House, joins a crowded GOP field for the post being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Terry Everett.
Grimes, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said he believes he understands more than other candidates the struggles an average American goes through to survive from week to week.
"I know what it's like to worry about next month," said the Montgomery Republican.
Grimes said unlike wealthier candidates he would not be able to pledge large sums of his own money to the race.
Grimes made his announcement Friday morning on the quadrangle at Troy University, his alma mater. He is seeking to serve a district that has been held by a Republican since 1964.
In addition to Grimes, announced Republican candidates include state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocumb; state Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery; Montgomery broadcasting executive David Woods; Dothan oral surgeon Craig Scmidtke; and Dothan businessman John Martin.
Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright is the only announced candidate seeking the Democratic Party nomination.
The 2nd District stretches from Dothan in the southeast corner of Alabama to the suburban cities of Prattville and Wetumpka north of Montgomery.
Grimes said one of his goals is to bring the Republican Party back to being the party of "less taxes and less government."
"It's been tax-and-spend the last few years in Washington under a Republican regime," Grimes said.
Grimes also promised to work in Congress to control illegal immigration and said he believes U.S. troops should stay in Iraq until their mission has been completed.
"We have to finish the war. We can't abandon the people who have already given their lives," Grimes said.
He said he also wants to help farmers in the district who have suffered losses during the prolonged drought.
Grimes said he doesn't consider MS, a chronic disease that attacks the nervous system, to be a handicap and that it won't slow him down in the campaign or in serving the district. He was first diagnosed with the disease about eight years ago and the condition has motivated him to seek political office.
He said he first decided to run for the Legislature at a time when he was so sick he was unable to drive, button his shirt or cut his own food. He said his health has improved since he entered politics.
"My health is remarkably better. My medication is working well. I've still got MS, but I've got more energy than I've had in a long time," Grimes said.