Ralph Groves
Ralph Groves, a retired Defense Intelligence Agency analyst and Army veteran, is the Libertarian Party candidate for Florida's 11th Congressional District.[4][5]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- MixedProtect legal access to abortion
Describes himself as pro-life and opposes government funding for abortion providers, but says that in limited cases abortion should be decided by women and their doctors, not government.[6]
“In extreme cases, abortion should be decided by women and their doctors, not government.”
- OpposesStricter gun laws
Opposes new restrictions on gun ownership, including expanded background checks, and supports upholding gun rights under the 2nd Amendment.[7]
“Expanded background checks will not keep guns out of the hands of criminals and gang members; in any case, such checks will be inexact as not all records about people are available to adjudicators.”
- OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Calls for reducing federal taxes generally rather than raising them, arguing lower taxes will stimulate the economy.[6]
“will call for reduction of Federal taxes to stimulate the economy”
- OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Supports increasing fossil fuel output and says a transition to renewable energy will take decades, rather than favoring a faster shift away from fossil fuels.[6]
“Transition to “green energy” will take decades to accomplish.”
- SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Supports abolishing the federal Department of Education and giving parents options including vouchers and homeschooling.[6]
“a broad range of options should be available to parents, including a voucher system and homeschooling”
In their words — priorities
- Opposes U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, including calling for an immediate cease-fire and mediated peace talks in Ukraine while European allies do more to counter Russia.[6]
- Favors simplified, reasonable processes for legal immigration while opposing illegal and unregulated migration.[6]
- Would uphold Social Security and Medicare while calling for reduced federal taxes.[6]
Background
- Groves is a retired U.S. Army major who worked from 1999 to 2018 as a civilian analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency, including postings in England and at the Pentagon.[5]
- He served on active duty in the Iraq War (2008-2009) as part of an Army Reserve detachment, on the staff of General Petraeus in Baghdad.[5]
- He is a recent chairman of the Libertarian Party of Orange County, Florida.[5][7]
- He resides in Ocoee, Florida, with his wife and children.[5]