Friend,

My mid-November fundraising deadline is in less than 48 hours. We’re statistically tied with Rick Scott in a recent poll, so we need to show strong fundraising numbers to make sure he can’t pull ahead of us. But right now, we’re $15,228 short of my $100,000 mid-month goal.

That’s why I’m about to ask you to make a $5 donation to my campaign. But first, will you let me explain why I’m in this race? (If you’re ready to donate now, you can give here.)

I came to this country as a 14-year-old immigrant from Ecuador. My family lived in a one room apartment, and my mom worked double shifts to pay the bills. I got a job at the local doughnut shop to help her make ends meet.

I’ve seen firsthand just how difficult it is for working families to get by. But I’ve also seen the incredible opportunities that are only possible in America.

I was able to attend college, give back to my community, and become the first South American immigrant ever elected to Congress. And, after years of long shifts and late night classes to learn English, my mom was able to retire with dignity thanks to Social Security and Medicare.

Make no mistake: There’s a lot of work that we have to do to make sure that every family has the chance to achieve their American Dream. That’s why I’m running for Senate — to protect and expand the opportunities that made my story possible.

I’m running against Rick Scott, who’s spent his career attacking those opportunities and threatening vital programs like Social Security and Medicare. He has a personal fortune of up to a quarter of a billion dollars to fund his campaign. I’m counting on a grassroots army made up of people like you to fight back.

Please, will you donate $5 or more before midnight tonight to help me hit my $100,000 mid-November fundraising goal and protect the opportunities that make the American Dream possible?

Thank you,

Debbie