Scott Powers
Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings has received the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York in the Orlando-based Democratic Congressional District 10 race.
Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, previously endorsed state Sen. Darren Soto in the other hotly-contested Congressional Democratic primary in Orlando, Congressional District 6.
“Throughout her years of public service Valdez Demings demonstrated her commitment to addressing the critical needs of minority communities in Central Florida, including the Puerto Rican community,” Velázquez stated in a news release issued by Demings’ campaign, “I’m proud to endorse Valdez Demings in Florida’s 10th Congressional District. About half a million Puerto Ricans now live in Central Florida. Valdez Demings understands the issues our communities face in the Commonwealth and when they arrive on the mainland. I’m confident she will continue to be the leader that has the best interest of the people at heart.”
Demings is in a Democratic primary challenge with state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, businessman Bob Poe and attorney Fatima Rita Fahmy, all of Orlando
They all seek a chance to replace U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster of Winter Garden, who switched to run in neighboring Congressional District 11.
The Republicans now have two candidates running in CD 10, Thuy Lowe of Sorrento and Geoffrey LaGarde.
