Friend,

I'm Val Demings, and I'm running for the U.S. Senate to defeat Marco Rubio and win better, stronger leadership for the people of Florida. We're barely out of the gate, and election experts are already calling this a top battleground race for the Senate. 

Just 10,033 votes (0.2 percentage points) decided Florida's last Senate race – so I'll tell you the plain truth: I cannot win this without you.

That's why I'm asking you to become one of the first donors to my campaign for Senate by contributing $5 or more now. Every dollar you can spare will help us build the strongest grassroots operation to defeat Rubio, flip Florida blue and defend our Senate majority.

Every day, I carry with me that I am a descendant of enslaved people – people who knew that 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 South in the '60s, the daughter of a maid and a janitor, have 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.

I stand on the side of our democratic institutions, on the side of everyday working Floridians – but I need your help to win this race. Will you make a contribution of $5 or more now to defeat Marco Rubio, win in Florida and defend our Democratic Senate majority?

In my decades of public service, I've worked with some truly incredible individuals – champions of civil rights like my friend John Lewis, who said, "Each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society."

We're at an inflection point for our democracy that will decide if we live up to John Lewis' dream, friend. The modern-day Republican Party is committed to the exact opposite of what Congressman Lewis stood for. Marco Rubio and Senate Republicans are putting party over the future of our democracy, over the wants and needs of Florida's working families.

You have my word, that when it comes to winning this race and delivering better leadership for Florida, 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. But it's only together that we'll have a shot at winning – so here's what I'm counting on: 2,116 donations, the very first ones of this race, before 11:59 p.m. tonight. Are you in friend?

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!

From the bottom of my heart, friend, thank you for being on my team. 

Congresswoman Val Demings