Hi, friend – I'm taking a quick 15-minute break from campaigning and I had to reach out with an update:

Last Tuesday was my only chance to go toe-to-toe with Marco Rubio after he cancelled our first debate so he could attend a fundraiser at the Ritz Carlton instead. I'm feeling confident – because I proved that I'd be a fighter for Floridians who actually shows up for Florida.

Everyone knows that my story of service is way stronger than Marco Rubio's – even the GOP knows it. They're panicking that I'll win, so they just helped Rubio blanket the Florida airwaves with $1.5 MILLION of TV ads. That's why I need your help today.

Polls show this race tied, and with the GOP outspending us in key areas of Florida, winning my debate isn't enough to take the lead. I need $500,000 to invest in voter outreach, and friend, right now, a group of Democratic donors is DOUBLE-MATCHING all donations to my campaign until midnight tonight, so I'm personally asking:

Please, friend, this race will decide which party wins Senate control, so will you rush $5 right now, while your donation will be DOUBLED, to help me reach my goal, defeat Marco Rubio and flip Florida blue?

Here I am preparing for my debate with my team. I hope I made you proud on that stage last week.

I can't thank you enough for joining this grassroots movement. Let's keep up the good work.

– Val Demings