I wanted to share an update on my race, John, and I hope you'll read this through to the end.

A Suffolk University/USA Today Florida poll showed that I can win, but only if I reach more voters: in on-the-ground organizing, in fundraising, in voter registration – nearly every single way you can imagine. But I'm a few points behind Marco Rubio and the last Florida Senate race was decided by just 0.12 points.

Does it worry me? Absolutely. Every dollar I fail to raise now means fewer resources I can pour into mobilizing voters and fighting back when Rubio's airing deceitful attack ads. It means the GOP and Marco Rubio inch closer to keeping Florida red and flipping the Senate.

I know you don't want that to happen. I know you care deeply about this race and defending our Democratic Senate majority, and I appreciate that so, so much. But I simply will not have the resources it takes to compete – and most importantly, win – if I don't hit my campaign's fundraising goals.

Every single dollar will make a difference in this must-win race, so I'm asking: Please, split $5 or whatever you can spare right now to between me and the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State to help me defeat Marco Rubio in Florida and defend our Democratic Senate majority:

With so much gratitude,

Val Demings