Friend, 

I'm running to defeat Marco Rubio and promote real leadership for Florida in the U.S. Senate. 

This election is about more than just me, though. We're at a tipping point that will determine the future of our nation. Our core issues – affordable health care, commonsense gun reform, voting rights and more – hinge on winning (or losing) this Florida seat. 

I won't mince words: Senate control could come down to my race and what you and I do right now.

But I just spoke with my finance team, and they told me we haven't met this goal yet: friend, I'm counting on you – will you pitch in $5 or whatever you can to get us across the finish line?

The GOP will do whatever it takes to tip the scales in its favor – we've already seen from their voter suppression tactics how low they're going in order to cling to power. But we have them worried, friend: Rubio and the Senate Republican campaign arm have already started spreading lies to defeat me, first on cable news and then on social media.

Florida's last Senate race came down to 0.12 percentage points. Just over 10,000 votes. I don't think this race will be easy – Senate races in Florida never are. But I believe in our people-powered, grassroots movement. 

We know that when voters are able to get to the ballot box, Democrats win. And it's going to take a groundswell of resources to register and mobilize the voters I need to flip Florida blue.

But I'm falling short of my End of Month deadline, just when I need a strong showing. So please, friend, will you contribute $5 or $25 by midnight tonight to make sure I can defeat Marco Rubio and win in Florida?

Thank you, 

Congresswoman Val Demings