Friend: This is an especially important message about my 27 years of dedicated service as a police officer. As Marco Rubio launches desperate attacks on my law enforcement career, I hope you'll read this to the end.

I entered the police academy because I loved my community and wanted to protect it from harm. After graduating at the top of my class, I woke up and put on my uniform every day, ready to risk my life because I took an oath to protect and serve the people of Florida.

While I was working the midnight shift, Marco Rubio was plotting his trajectory as a career politician. I’ll put my record up against his any day – but the problem is, Rubio has the powerful influence of the GOP dark-money machine on his side.

As national Republicans spend millions of dollars on attack ads that question my loyalty to the men and women in law enforcement, I need your help today to set the record straight: Will you donate $5 or more to help me reach more voters and flip Florida blue?

Back in 1983, I was one of only three women in my police academy class. But after years of hard work and dedication, I rose to the top of the department and became the first woman to serve as Orlando's chief of police. 

My story doesn't stop there. When I was appointed chief of police, Orlando was in crisis. The murder rate was at an all-time high, but I brought the department together and built relationships within the community. Standing with the brave men and women of the Orlando Police Department, we reduced violent crime by 40%.

To protect the city of Orlando, it took long, sleepless nights. And if I'm elected to the Senate, I'm ready to spend long nights protecting our right to vote, reproductive rights, access to health care and so much more.

I'll never stop fighting to protect and serve. If you're with me, please donate $5 or whatever you can right now to flip Florida blue.

Here's the best link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/vd_senate-fr-email

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for joining this grassroots movement.

Val Demings