Former Democratic Congresswoman, Val Demings, has announced her candidacy for the Florida Senate seat currently held by Republican Rick Scott. Demings, who served as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 10th congressional district from 2017 to 2021, is the first Democrat to challenge Scott in the 2022 election.
Demings, a former police chief in Orlando, has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and gun control. She has also been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, and has been a strong supporter of the Biden administration’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her announcement, Demings said she was running for the Senate seat to “fight for the people of Florida and to make sure that our state is a place where everyone can thrive.” She also said she was running to “ensure that our state is a leader in the fight against climate change, and that we are doing our part to protect our environment and our economy.”
Demings is expected to face a tough challenge from Scott, who has held the Senate seat since 2019. Scott is a strong supporter of President Trump and has been a vocal opponent of the Biden administration’s policies.
Demings’ candidacy is likely to energize the Democratic base in Florida, which has been largely dormant since the 2018 midterms. It is also likely to draw attention to the state’s Senate race, which has been overshadowed by the presidential race in recent years.
Demings’ candidacy is a sign that the Democratic Party is serious about taking back the Senate in 2022. With her strong record of public service and her commitment to progressive values, Demings is well-positioned to challenge Scott and make a strong case for why Floridians should vote for her in 2022.