I have a rare 15-minute gap in my schedule today, friend. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but free moments have been few and far between recently.

As I sit here drinking my coffee, I'm reflecting on this historic campaign – and I decided I need to tell you a story about why I'm running for U.S. Senate.

When I was a little girl, my family didn't have much. I grew up as one of seven siblings, living in a two-room house in Jacksonville, Florida. I went to segregated schools and worked wherever I could – washing dishes or flipping burgers at McDonald's – to help my family get by. 

My grandma lived just down the street from my family. She grew up in the Jim Crow South, and she couldn't read or write, so she made an "X" for all her signatures. As a kid, I remember sitting at my grandma's kitchen table writing letters to her sister as she told me what to say.

I can't help but think about what my grandma would say if she could see the life I lead now. She never could have imagined that I would grow up to become Orlando's Chief of Police, a congressional representative for my home district and a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Now, I have a chance to deliver better leadership to the people of Florida – and I promise to fight every day to expand opportunities for families like mine. If you believe in my campaign, will you contribute today?

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/vd_senate-fr-email

I truly believe that only in America can a little Black girl – the granddaughter of a woman robbed of the chance to learn to read – have such an amazing story of opportunity like mine.

But for too many Americans, my story of opportunity is simply out of reach. I'm running for U.S. Senate to expand opportunities for working families like mine – so that everyone can have a fair chance to reach their own American dream.

My 15 minutes are almost up, so I'll wrap this up with one final thought: This is a historic campaign – and the GOP is trying to stack the cards against me because Marco Rubio and I are neck and neck in the polls. If you believe in this movement to expand opportunities for all Americans, I need you on my side right now. 

My finance team told me we need more grassroots donations to win, so I have to ask this: Will you donate $5 right now to help me defeat Marco Rubio and protect our Senate majority? 

Here's the best link to give: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/vd_senate-fr-email

Thank you for reading my story, 

Congresswoman Val Demings