6 weeks, friend. That's how long we have to defeat Marco Rubio, flip Florida blue and win Senate control.

It's going to be tough, but I'm no stranger to a challenge. Growing up poor, Black and female in the South, no one gave me a chance to do much of anything. But with hard work, I became the first in my family to go to college – and then went onto become Orlando's first female chief of police and later a U.S. congresswoman. None of it was easy.

Through my toughest moments, I hear my mom's voice in my head telling me: "Never tire of doing good, Val." It's that lesson – that unbeatable drive – that propels me forward as I work day in and day out to take down a powerful GOP incumbent, deliver a Democratic Senate majority and expand access to the American dream.

But the reality is that I can't win this alone. I need your support if I'm going to compete with Marco Rubio's dark-money machine. After a poll showed us tied, the GOP made a $1.3 million investment in ads – then a new poll showed me 1 point behind. So I'm counting on you to help me take the lead:

Please, friend, will you contribute $5 today to help me surge ahead in the final stretch of this close race? It's the only way I can defeat Marco Rubio, win Senate control and ensure that everyone has a fair shot at the American dream.

Thanks for being part of this movement,

Val Demings

Our grassroots campaign is off to a great start, but in a race as close as this one, I need your help to surge ahead and defend the Senate. This email was sent to [email protected] because you’re critical to this grassroots campaign. To make sure you’re the first to get important updates, click here if you’re on mobile or text “JOIN” to 77076 to receive text updates.

I’m relying on grassroots supporters like you, donating to emails like this, to help me defeat Marco Rubio and stop Mitch McConnell from flipping the Senate. So, please consider making a donation today. You can also click here to receive fewer emails or click here to unsubscribe.