This is truly monumental, friend.

I just became the official Democratic nominee in a race that will determine which party wins Senate control.

I never could have predicted this as a kid growing up poor, Black and female in the 1960s South. It was my family, particularly my mother's lesson to "never tire of doing good," that pushed me to become the public servant I am today.

I'll never tire of the challenges before me – and as this race to defeat Marco Rubio grows tighter, I'm asking you to do the same.

Recent polls show that this race is TIED, and CNN is calling Marco Rubio one of the most vulnerable senators, but national Republicans are zeroing in on Florida – and they have a massive $173 million war chest at their disposal.

With the primary behind me, the real battle begins now: I need 100,000 supporters to join my Florida Defender Team and show the GOP that our grassroots movement is unstoppable. Please, will you donate $5 now to become an official Florida Defender Team member, help me defeat Marco Rubio and defend our Senate majority?

There's no doubt the GOP is gearing up to attack me relentlessly with my race TIED, so I have to ask you to commit to this team – to never tire no matter what Marco Rubio throws at us, no matter how much the GOP spends and no matter what it takes.

No one can sit on the sidelines – not when this race will decide Senate control. If we fall short of our 100,000 donor goal, that could mean handing the Senate right back to Mitch McConnell.

We're one step closer to flipping Florida blue today, so if you're with me and you want to defend our majority in the Senate, please donate $5 to become a Florida Defender Team member.

I can't thank you enough for believing in this campaign, and I hope to see your name on my list of supporters.

Thank you again,

Val Demings