Between 1999 and 2003 he attended Trinity Western University, where he coached varsity rugby and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics.

He has cited Ralph Klein, the former premier of Alberta, and Preston Manning, the leader of Reform, as his political role models.

[1] While living in Abbotsford, British Columbia, he campaigned for Randy White, who was elected as a Reform Party member of parliament.

[3] After he returned to Fort St. John, he joined the Conservative Party's Prince George—Peace River Electoral District Association and served as its president until 2009 when he became its secretary and CEO.

In August 2010, Zimmer resigned from his duties in the Electoral District Association and announced he would stand in the nomination election.

[1] Five other people stood in the election, including fellow Fort St. John teacher Dan Davies and the former mayor of Prince George Colin Kinsley.

In May 2016, Zimmer sponsored and brought forward in the House of Commons a petition with 25,000 signatures advocating for the de-restriction of the AR-15 semi-automatic modern sporting rifle.

[19] Zimmer has defended his vote against Bill C-6 because he said it "leaves open the possibility that voluntary conversations between individuals and their parents, family members, pastors, teachers, or their counsellors may be criminalized.