Happy Mother's Day, friend. Whether you're a mother yourself or celebrating a mother figure in your life, I hope you're having a wonderful day.

I wanted to take a moment to speak with you about my mother, Imelda. Who she is speaks to who I am — as a woman and as a mother. She's also my inspiration for running for U.S. Senate.

Some of my earliest memories of Mom are her working incredibly hard to provide a good life for my sisters and me. Even before we emigrated from Ecuador, Mom worked full time to raise us. That was pretty uncommon in Ecuador back then. 

Eventually, Mom made the brave decision to bring my sisters and me to America — to escape living under a dictatorship in Ecuador and ensure we had every ounce of freedom and opportunity to succeed. That was the American promise for her. The American Dream. 

She continued to work her heart out. In those early days, I remember her taking on double shifts at work and somehow still fitting in English classes at night. She inspired all of us kids to step up to help make ends meet and build a home in our new country.

My mom took risks, worked hard, and traveled thousands of miles to a country where she knew few and didn't even speak the language — all to give her family freedom and opportunity. It's a beautiful example of love and sacrifice that I try to celebrate not just today, but all the time. 

It was Mom's sacrifice and Mom's courage that allowed me to go to college, start a career giving back to my community, and eventually become the first South American immigrant to serve in Congress.

But now, when I think about that opportunity and freedom my mom sought out, I think about extremist politicians like my opponent, Rick Scott, who are hell-bent on taking freedom away and handing opportunity to the rich and powerful like himself.

Rick Scott is attacking and taking away our freedoms, so much so that, as a mother, I must now watch my own children grow up in a country with fewer freedoms than I did.

My mom blessed me with so much, not least of all her drive and determination to build a better life for those she cares about. It's why I refuse to sit on the sidelines and allow politicians like Rick Scott to destroy our state and our country. Mom, you inspired me to run for Senate. Thank you, and I love you.

The stories of our mother figures are our stories. They make us who we are today. Thanks for taking the time to learn a little more about mine, and I hope you continue to have a lovely Mother's Day. 

Warmly,

— Debbie