The outpouring of support I've received in the past few days has been humbling, friend. If you donated, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you just joined our team and are receiving these emails, I'm grateful for your support.

My mother taught me this: When someone gives you an opportunity to do something big – do not disappoint them. That's why I'm running for U.S. Senate to defeat Marco Rubio and win better, stronger leadership for the people of Florida. With you – together – I know I cannot disappoint. 

But election experts are already calling this race one of the biggest Senate battlegrounds in the country, and last time around, Florida's Senate seat was decided by just 0.12 percentage points (10,033 votes). So the truth of the matter is: We have a long way to go, and I cannot win this without consistent grassroots support.

That's why I'm asking you to make a contribution of $5 or more to my campaign for Senate. Marco Rubio has already started personally attacking me, so it's important we build up resources right here and now to fight back and win. Can I count on you to rush a donation right now?

Every day, I carry with me that I am a descendant of enslaved people – people who knew they would not make it but dreamed and prayed that one day I would.

Their prayers carried me to this day – carried me through a life of public service as a social worker, as a law enforcement officer, as the first Black woman to serve as Orlando's police chief, and as the proud representative of Florida's 10th Congressional District. 

So hear me when I say this: Only in America can a little Black girl growing up in the ’60s South – the daughter of a maid and a janitor – have such an amazing story of opportunity like mine. 

The prayers of my parents propel me forward, even now, giving me the strength and courage it takes to do what's right: To impeach and prosecute a corrupt president. To never stop fighting for gun safety reform. To push for truth, accountability, justice.

And you have my word, friend, that I will fight like never before. Because when your friends and neighbors put their trust in you to be their voice, you work for them – and that's just not what we're seeing from Sen. Rubio, who puts party ahead of democracy.

But it's only together that we'll have a shot at winning – so here's what I'm counting on: Raising $15,443 more – every dollar of it from grassroots supporters like you committed to a better future for Florida – before our midnight fundraising deadline. 

Rush $5 or more now – whatever you can spare to fuel our battleground Senate race – so we can defeat Marco Rubio, flip Florida blue and defend our Democratic Senate majority!

I'm ready for this historic moment. Let's win this together.

Val Demings