I'm preparing to take the debate stage with Marco Rubio tonight, so I'll make this quick, friend: In 30 seconds, I’m going to ask you for $5.

Here’s why: With just THREE weeks until Election Day, a recent poll shows me TIED with Marco Rubio in the race that will determine which party wins Senate control. But a generous group of donors has offered to MATCH every gift up to my $250,000 Pre-Debate goal!

I know $5 doesn't sound like much – but the GOP won Florida's last Senate race by a tiny margin (just 10,033 votes!), and this race will be just as tight. That means every single dollar makes a big difference at the polls. 

With the GOP dark-money machine determined to defeat me at any cost, I cannot afford to miss tonight's $250,000 goal. If we fall short now, our grassroots team may be looking back after Election Day and wishing that we did more to secure our Democratic Senate majority. 

That's why I need to raise another $250,000 before MIDNIGHT, but I'm still $13,326 short. And, with Rubio and the GOP launching another round of vicious attack ads to defeat me, missing this goal could devastate our chance to pull ahead in the final stretch of this tight race.

In the time that it’s taken you to get to this point in the email, six people have already donated $5 to join our team, but I’m counting on you to chip in too, friend.

My 30 seconds are up, so I have to ask: Will you pitch in $5 or more (while your donation will have TWICE the impact) to help me reach my midnight goal, defeat Marco Rubio, flip Florida blue and protect our Democratic Senate majority?

Thank you,

Val Demings