I'm reaching out personally to ask for your help today, friend.

When I first launched this campaign, grassroots Democrats like you came out in droves to support me. This momentum has carried me far: I'm now just 2 points behind Rubio in recent polls, The Cook Political Report upgraded my chances of winning and CNN called Florida's Senate seat most likely to flip blue!

But Marco Rubio is trying to wipe away all of my momentum, running low-blow attack ads to defeat me by smearing my record. I've got thick skin, but that doesn't change the fact Rubio and the Senate GOP have hauled in nearly $30 million – all while I've experienced a major slow-down in fundraising. 

There's no way around it: My biggest obstacle to winning this race will be having the resources it takes to go toe-to-toe with Marco Rubio in what experts say will likely be the most expensive Senate race ever. That's why I set a $500,000 End of Quarter goal – yes, it's ambitious, but it's what it will take to compete with national Republicans and their dark-money allies. 

I'm counting on every person reading this email to help me out with a grassroots donation. With Senate control on the line in this tight race, the stakes could not be higher. 

I cannot afford to miss this goal and time is running out, friend: Please, can you give $5 – or anything you can spare – right now to help me meet my End of Quarter goal, defeat Marco Rubio and defend our Senate majority?

I know I'm asking a lot of you, but that's because this grassroots campaign relies on committed supporters like you to win in Florida – not dark money and megadonors. Thanks for your sustained support.

Congresswoman Val Demings