In 2022, Demings ran for Senate in her home state of Florida. In a hotly contested election, she raised record support from Floridians and from across the country by continuing to fight for the same issues she has championed throughout her life: public safety, opportunity, and the American Dream.
Demings traveled to every corner of Florida, talking to people who agreed with her and people who disagreed. She spoke about housing, health care, the environment, public safety, and other issues top of mind for working families throughout the state.
Wrote Vanity Fair, “she’d also been watching the manufactured culture wars and subjugating GOP-backed bills emanating from Florida: restricting mail-in voting, creating election policing, passing the anti-LGBTQ+ ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, making abortion all but illegal. Meanwhile, there were key pieces of legislation going to the Senate to die: the George Floyd Policing Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and immigration reform. Put together, these developments convinced Demings that, ‘yeah, we need to make Florida better. But in the Senate, we can make America better. And if we make America better, then Florida and 49 other states are better.'”
Wrote the Palm Beach Post in their endorsement, “Demings has made what should have been a cakewalk for a Republican incumbent in a politically red state much more competitive.”
“I’m with Val Demings all the way” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel during Rep. Demings’ VP speculation.
“In Val there’s hope,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, “that we can move closer to that promise of America.”
Said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, “Val Demings is an individual whose values are solid. Who is an honest and trustworthy public servant. Who has the skill, the knowledge, and the experience.”