Friend – Every member of this grassroots team has their own motivation to flip Florida blue. Today, I want to tell you mine:

When I was a social worker in Jacksonville, I met a 10-year-old boy who was exhibiting dangerous behavior after being seriously neglected at home. He needed support quickly – but I was told it would be weeks before he could be evaluated. I didn't think he would make it until then, so I went around the red tape and got him the help he needed. I was reprimanded, but that's what it took to save his life. 

I remember being so angry that the system designed to help children like him had totally failed him. That's when I heard that the Orlando Police Department was recruiting, and I took a call to protect and serve the most vulnerable members in my community, people like this child. 

Fast-forward 27 years: I'm now Orlando's first woman Chief of Police, and I've reduced the violent crime rate by more than 40%, so children like that young boy I'd met as a social worker didn't have to live in fear of playing in the streets. In my last days as Chief, the mayor sat me down for a chat: 

"You have to run for Congress," the Mayor told me. 

Me? A politician? I never thought of myself that way. "You've got jokes today," I said, laughing.

He asked my husband Jerry and me to meet some leaders in D.C. It was Speaker Nancy Pelosi who finally convinced me to run when she said, “1 in 6 children go to bed hungry every night. If you could do something about that, wouldn’t you?” 

Of course, I thought of the child I had met years ago. We were still in touch three decades later. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to help children like him, not when they've been neglected by the system. I had to do everything I could to give each child in my community a story of opportunity like mine, so I ran for office. And the rest is history.

Not a day goes by that I forget about that child – or all of the working families who are counting on leaders like me to help them get through dark times. To thrive and not just survive.  

For me, that's what this is all about – and it's why I believe the Senate is where I can do the most good. If I win this race, Democrats can expand our Senate majority. We'll be able to extend the enhanced Child Tax Credit that's cut child poverty by more than 40%. We'll protect children from gun violence. And we'll help families keep food on the table by making groceries and gas more affordable. 

That's the long and short of why I'm in this race, friend. If you're ready to help me build a better future, will you donate to my campaign today?

Thanks for reading my story, 

Val Demings