When I decided to start a family, I didn't ask my governor's permission. 

I didn't ask my congressman's permission. 

I dang on sure DID NOT ask my senator's permission to start a family.

That intimate, personal decision was made between my husband, Jerry, and me.

And yet here we are, with men like Marco Rubio trying to tell women what to do – trying to tell women how they should handle their own personal health care choices or when they should start a family. Let me tell you something, friend: 

I'm angry, friend. Angry that extremist conservatives like Rubio have conspired for nearly 50 years to pack the Supreme Court with conservative justices who are about to take away our right to choose. Angry that Rubio and every last Republican senator blocked Democratic efforts to codify Roe v. Wade into law.

If you're angry too, here's what we've got to do: Turn our anger into action. Let our anger fuel our efforts to make the change we need to protect our right to choose – starting with kicking anti-choice extremists like Rubio out of the Senate and expanding our pro-choice majority. 

When I'm in the Senate, I won't let anything stand in the way of protecting reproductive rights. Not the filibuster, not out-of-touch ideologues on the court, nothing!

I need your help to get there. Marco Rubio and the GOP are viciously attacking me as polling shows us statistically tied. Please, will you make a donation of $5 – or whatever you can spare today – to elect me as Florida's next U.S. Senator and expand our Democratic Senate majority?

In moments like this when things are so dire, we MUST summon the courage to fight with EVERYTHING we have. That's what I intend to do. And with your support, we will win. 

Thank you,

Val Demings