Friend, this isn't the email I wanted to write, but I really have no other choice.

Recent polls show me neck and neck with my wealthy GOP opponents, and now, one of them just spent $2 million on a TV ad buy to flood the airwaves and defeat me. The reality is, I'm in serious danger of falling behind just as the election year starts.

That's why I set a goal to raise $25,000 before our midnight deadline to fight back, and I'm counting on you to help me get there. So please, will you split $5 between my campaign and Gary Peters’ right now to help me reach my goal before midnight, fight back against the GOP, and win in Ohio?

Look, this race is going to be my toughest one yet: Mitch McConnell personally named me a top target, and my self-funding GOP opponents will stop at nothing to flip this seat and the Senate red.

And while I don't have a personal fortune to dip into, I have something much more powerful: this grassroots team. My campaign relies on folks like you chipping in $5 or $25 at a time – and when we come together, I know we can beat the GOP's millions and win this race.

I know you care about keeping this seat blue and defending our razor-thin Senate majority, so I'm personally asking: Will you split $5 or more between my campaign and Gary Peters’ right now to help me hit my goal and win in Ohio?

Thanks for chipping in,