Friend – it's official: I am the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Florida.

We still have a long way to go before Election Day, but I KNOW that I can win because my record beats Marco Rubio's any day.

Recent polls show me TIED with Rubio after months of being behind. This is proof that we can win – but it also means that GOP efforts to defeat me have increased TREMENDOUSLY.

I'm being outspent by the GOP in key areas of Florida right now. And with this race tightening, there's no doubt their attacks on my record will escalate over the coming weeks. Florida's last Senate race was decided by just 0.12% of the vote, so being outspent in these areas could decide if we win or lose.

That's why I'm turning to you in this critical moment: I've set a goal to raise $200,000 before midnight. I know it's a massive amount of money – but I simply can't compete against the GOP and maintain our momentum without your support.

Will you please donate $5 now – or whatever you can spare at the moment – to split between my campaign and Ben Ray Luján to help me reach my goal, take the lead and flip Florida blue?

Thank you so much for being part of this campaign. I could not be so close to taking the lead and defeating Marco Rubio without the contributions of this grassroots team.

– Val Demings