Val Demings proclaims herself ‘Daughter of Duval’ ahead of expected Primary win

In a year predicted as a “red wave” in a state dominated by the politics of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Democrat Val Demings has the chance on Election Day to not only be the upset story of the night, but the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate from the South.

While the Democratic Primary is the bar Demings needs to clear presently, her focus was on the expected Republican opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

“Let me be clear about this — we’re not going back,” Demings said, reiterating her support of abortion rights. “We’re not shutting up, and we’re not sitting down. We’re not going back to a time where women are treated like property, we’re not going back to a time where women were treated as second-class citizens. We are going to fight, and fight and fight some more for women’s rights. 

“And my opponent on Nov. 8 — I don’t care what he says — believes there should be no exception, no exception for rape, incest or abuse. Now let me say this, as someone who served as a detective, and a detective sergeant, investigating crimes against children — rape and incest and sexual abuse — I think that is disgusting, I think that is unacceptable, and that is why Marco Rubio needs to go.”

She arrived in Duval County on the eve of Primary Day with polling momentum and stories of prolific fundraising. Demings grew up in Jacksonville and chose to make Duval County a focus of the end of her Primary campaign, in which she’s expected to easily defeat nominal opposition.

“My ‘why’ for running is directly tied to my personal story, and Jacksonville, you may be aware of it as my hometown, but I’m going to share just a little bit with you to put it in perspective,” Demings said. “I stand before you tonight as the daughter of a maid and a janitor.”

Her parents’ hard work made an impact.

“I’m the youngest of seven, but I’m the first to have the opportunity to go to college,” Demings said. “I went to college, it was in college that I made the decision to dedicate my life to public service.”

The Demings campaign filled an event room at the Masonic Temple in downtown Jacksonville, a boisterous crowd that included her family and friends who live locally and who Demings recognized in her remarks. She also managed to hit a window in which the rain, pouring down for much of the late afternoon, let up in time for the event.

“I have been impressed, as you are, with her proven years of service and track record,” Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman said to those gathered.

“You know, Val is a breath of fresh air that cares about Florida. And she’s not afraid to ask for money (in the federal budget), and we know that she won’t leave us behind. She works tirelessly on a mission for the mission, and she never gets tired. You know that, right?”

Demings began her latest Duval County tour at a Southside barbershop, where she didn’t feel comfortable committing to final prediction for the Primary, except that it would be a positive result.

“So whatever God, whatever margin God gives me is the one that is supposed to happen, and the one I will use as a springboard to the General Election,” Demings said Monday morning. 

She went on to a meeting with military veterans that afternoon at Jenkins Quality Barbecue downtown, before concluding with her “Daughter of Duval” rally at the Masonic Temple on Broad Street.