Friend,

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month — a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. It’s a holiday that I, as a proud Latina from Ecuador, take pride in celebrating.

As I think about the Latinos who have immigrated to the United States and made an impact on our country, big or small, I can't help but think about the Latinas who have impacted my own life, specifically my mother and sisters.

My mom brought me and my sisters to the United States from Ecuador for a chance at a better life. She knew it would be a difficult transition, leaving behind our home and moving to a new country thousands of miles away — and she was right. But she did it so my sisters and I could have our very own American Dreams.

It didn't come easy, friend. There were many long hours and lots of hard work to make ends meet in those early years, but the opportunities I was given here allowed me to go from a minimum-wage job to becoming the first South American immigrant in Congress.

Now, I'm in the fight of my life to defeat extremist Republican Rick Scott and become the first Latina senator from Florida.

Rick Scott is coming after my own community to turn its people against me — he's spending millions on Spanish-language ads, and he's resorted to calling me a "socialista." On top of that, he continues to spread conspiracies about our elections, casting doubt on the most sacred cornerstone of our democracy.

Having grown up under a dictatorship before coming to the U.S., I don't take these attacks lightly. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Freedom isn’t some political slogan for me.

And that's how Rick Scott is using it.

But guess what? His feeble attempts to undermine me won't work. Whether he is lying about his stance on reproductive rights or threatening to roll back affordable health care, Floridians up and down the state have caught on to his frauds and schemes — and they're fed up.

Like other Latino immigrants, my mother brought me and my sisters to this country so that I could have the kinds of opportunities and freedoms she never did. Today, it’s that very freedom that Rick Scott and his ultra-wealthy, far-right friends want to take away.

Friend, we can't allow extremist politicians to dictate our rights. So please: Will you chip in $5 to help me retire Rick Scott, become the first Latina senator from Florida, and be the leader Floridians deserve?

Thank you, friend, and Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

– Debbie Mucarsel-Powell