Friend: I am coming up on my first big fundraising deadline of the election year – and in a race as competitive as this, it couldn't be more important to get off to the strongest possible start.

I'm sure your inbox is filled with emails right now, but this isn't the typical kind of fundraising message you might expect, so I hope you'll keep reading. What I'm about to tell you is why I decided to run, and it's important. 

When I'm in the middle of make-or-break moments like tonight for my Senate race, my mind often goes back to Jacksonville – back to the tiny house I grew up in with six brothers and sisters. Things weren't always easy. Mom was a maid, Dad was a janitor, and although we didn't have a lot of money, we had each other.

In fact, it was Mom who used to say to me: "Never grow tired of doing good, Val." This inspired me to get into public service, and ever since, growing tired of doing what's right has never been an option. From my time as a social worker to my time as police chief to my time as a representative in Congress, I've held this mantra close to my heart. 

Never tire, I remind myself, as experts say my race in Florida is one of Democrats' best opportunities to protect and expand our Senate majority.

Never tire, I repeat, as polls show me statistically tied with my extremist opponent.

Never tire, I say, as I head into yet another major fundraising deadline thousands of dollars behind where I need to be.

The fact of the matter is that a 50-50 Senate isn't working for you or our country. So my promise to you is this: I will never tire in this work to expand our majority and secure a future for voting rights, reproductive freedom and all our shared values.

I ask a lot of you because I have so much faith that you'll never tire, either. You know the stakes of this election, so before my most important fundraising deadline of the election year thus far, will you chip in $5 or more right now? Every dollar will help me defeat Marco Rubio and expand our Democratic Senate majority.

I can't tell you how much it means to have you with me on this journey. Thank you for all you do.

Val Demings