(Orlando, FL) – Today, Val Demings announced her candidacy for Florida’s 10th Congressional district. As Orlando’s former Chief of Police and long-time community leader, Val Demings has a proven record of building consensus and getting results. Bolstered by her success as one of the most effective police chiefs in Florida’s history, Demings will bring effective leadership to Congress with a focus on solving real issues with direct community involvement.
Demings’ timing couldn’t be better. A Democrat, she will face off against Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, to whom she narrowly lost in 2012 by a margin of 52%- 48%. It was an impressive showing for her first foray into elective politics. Political observers say this time will be different. The redrawing of the state’s redistricting map, mandated by the Florida Supreme Court because the current one improperly favored Republicans, will likely leave the two candidates running in a district with far more African American voters.