With more than 1 million ballots cast so far Tuesday evening in Florida’s primary election, U.S. Rep. Val Demings has secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat and will continue her campaign to unseat Republican Marco Rubio in November.
The Orlando Democrat and law enforcement veteran has received more than 85 percent of votes thus far in the primary election, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
If elected as Florida’s next senator, Demings would hit a major milestone of becoming the second Florida woman in the U.S. Senate after some 40 years.
In Orlando, Demings held a primary election event Tuesday night where she celebrated her win and stressed the importance of boosting public education, gun reform in America and ensuring “a woman’s right to choose.”
Demings also thanked her campaign staff and gave a passionate speech about coming from humble beginnings to becoming the Democratic nominee.
“I stand before you tonight as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate,” Demings said. “I stand before you tonight believing in the promise of America. We are not looking behind us, tonight we come looking forward.”
She said: “Together, I really do believe this daughter of a maid and a janitor, whose not supposed to be standing here tonight, but I really do believe that together we can do anything. …and with your help, I will be elected as the next United States senator to represent the great state, my home state of Florida. God bless you all.”
A former Orlando police chief and officer, Demings was the only woman in the Democratic primary race among three males. She had managed to raise the most money for her campaign, according to campaign finance records from the Federal Election Commission.
The other Democratic candidates were William J. Sanchez, Brian Rush, and Ricardo De La Fuente. Both Sanchez and Rush are lawyers, according to their respective campaign websites.
She’d been in the spotlight for her numerous campaign ads blasting Rubio on various issues, such as his missed roll call votes and his negative political views women’s reproductive rights.
Demings had tweeted several times throughout election day, thanking poll workers and encouraging Florida voters to cast their ballots. “Happy Election Day, Florida! We are making history today,” Demings said Tuesday afternoon via Twitter:
She added: “Our democracy is on the ballot, and Florida deserves a Senator who will fight for your rights instead of staying home and bowing to special interests.”
Although Rubio has spent money on ads that tout his law enforcement support, Demings has a strong background in law enforcement.
According to her campaign website, Demings is a former social worker and served 27 years in various positions within law enforcement, including as a police officer in Orlando. She was first female police chief in Orlando.
However, she faces a competitive battle against Rubio, who has managed to gain endorsements from at least 55 sheriffs across the state.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Noneya
Or not. I think us Americans have had enough of you left. You will loose
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 Report this