Wow, friend.

I just saw our fundraising results since I announced my Senate run, and I'm just so humbled by and grateful for what I'm seeing: thousands of grassroots supporters donating to this people-powered movement. 

We're off to a great start, but we aren't quite out of the woods yet. I just refreshed ActBlue, and we're still $8,213 short of what we forecasted to raise by midnight tonight. I'm worried because pundits say my greatest obstacle to winning in Florida is likely to be a lack of funding. 

If I can be candid, friend, I don't like asking you for money like this, but this is what it takes. I don't like that we're up against Marco Rubio, who's waiting to shell out millions of dollars, or that the full force of the GOP and its dark-money allies are at his back to spend more. 

But do you know what I dislike even more? That Marco Rubio's career in the Senate has failed Floridians. It's marked by trying to take away affordable health care, strip reproductive freedoms, undermine voting rights and worse.

It's time for a change. But I can't win without hitting these fundraising goals – and I can't hit these fundraising goal without you. Friend, if everybody reading this email donated just $5, we'd hit that goal within minutes. 

I only have a couple hours left until midnight. The best link to donate to help me hit my goal, defeat Marco Rubio and win in Florida is right here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/vd_senate-fr-email

This race won't be easy – but not much in my life has been. I've never tired, and I can’t afford to be tired now. Let's win this. 

I'm so grateful for your support,

Congresswoman Val Demings