Val Demings challenging Marco Rubio for 2022 U.S. Senate Race

[OfTheCross]

Val Demings to challenge Marco Rubio in 2022 rather than run for Florida Governor

Val Demings will challenge Marco Rubio for his U.S. Senate in 2022 rather than run for Florida Governor, several sources familiar with her decision-making process tell Florida Politics.

“Over the last week, (there have been) serious conversations and enthusiasm from leadership about her candidacy,” said a top Democratic fundraiser who has been advising Demings. “Announcement coming in next couple weeks.”

Demings’ decision to run for the U.S. Senate was first reported by Marc Caputo of POLITICO.

The likelihood that Demings will take on Rubio rather than Ron DeSantis is a result of a non-stop courtship by national Democrats and U.S. Senate leadership who, like most observers of Florida politics, believe Rubio is an easier target than DeSantis, who has become, arguably, the second most popular Republican in the country behind former president Donald Trump.

One Democratic fundraiser, not connected to Demings, suggested that DeSantis’ eye-popping fundraising numbers may have factored in Demings’ thinking.

 

[dtownreppin214]

I expect Blue Lives Matter to rally around her.

 

[acri1]

I wish her the best, but it's Florida wouldn't advise anybody to get their hopes up

We already saw in 2018 how that state is with Gillum.

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

How does Dekkklantis got Dems shook?

 

[Worthless Loser]

I had confidence in Demmings but I quickly realized she would have a really low chance to win either race. Rubio got the cuban vote on lock. She'll have trouble with the black vote because she was a cop and the blue lives matter won't side with her either.

 

[OfTheCross]

How does Dekkklantis got Dems shook?

One Democratic fundraiser, not connected to Demings, suggested that DeSantis’ eye-popping fundraising numbers may have factored in Demings’ thinking.

“It spooked her,” said the fundraiser, who works often with the Florida Alliance, a coalition of wealthy progressive donors. “She was originally set to announce for Governor before Memorial Day but that $14 million changed that.” The $14 million is a reference to DeSantis’ fundraising haul for the month of April.

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

waste of donor money smh

i'll HAPPILY be wrong though

 

[King Static X]

Marco Rubio has that Senate seat for as long he wants it. Demings (or any other Democrat) isn't going to beat him.

 

[Red Shield]

I had confidence in Demmings but I quickly realized she would have a really low chance to win either race. Rubio got the cuban vote on lock. She'll have trouble with the black vote because she was a cop and the blue lives matter won't side with her either.

Yep..

It's an L and a obvious one at that

 

[AquaCityBoy]

So is this gonna be another Jaime Harrison situation where a Dem runs an unwinnable race to grift fundraiser money and then everybody makes excuses when they lose?

 

[Poetical Poltergeist]

Florida is a lost cause.

 

[Json]

She could win but only with low Republican turnout and Rubio having to turn against Trump which turns off his voters.

But overall Florida is a Republican state

 

[Dusty Bake Activate]

Val Demings is a good politician. Problem is she lives in Florida. The voting electorate here isn’t favorable to her.

 

[ExodusNirvana]

Florida is a lost cause

It is known

 

[DEAD7]

Marco Rubio has that Senate seat for as long he wants it. Demings (or any other Democrat) isn't going to beat him.