John,

I'm Val Demings, and I'm running for the U.S. Senate to flip Florida blue. I'm running for better and 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 Catherine suggested I reach out to ask you to split a donation between our campaigns. Every dollar you can spare will help us build the strongest grassroots operation to defend and expand our Senate majority.

Every day, I carry with me that I am a descendent 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, 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, the daughter of a maid and a janitor growing up in the South in the ’60s, 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 defend and expand 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, John. The modern-day Republican Party is committed to the exact opposite of what Congressman Lewis stood for. And Mitch McConnell grows more extreme by the day, more committed to an anti-democratic agenda. Putting party over the future of our democracy, over the wants and needs of Florida's – and America'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 right now. But it's only together that we'll have a shot at winning – so here's what I'm counting on: 6,112 donations before my first end-of-quarter deadline. Are you in, John?

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

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

Val Demings