Val Demings

Party: Democrat
State: Florida
What you need to know: Demings supports full funding for non-proliferation programs that secure dangerous nuclear materials that are vulnerable to terrorist threats.

Democrat - Challenger
Endorsed by Council for a Livable World

Val Demings has spent her career in public service. After graduating from public school in Jacksonville, FL, Demings received a B.S. in Criminology from Florida State University and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Webster University. Demings spent her early career as a Social Worker focused on foster care, and then joined the police force in Orlando.

Demings was President of her class at the police academy, and then earned a reputation as a tenacious, no-nonsense cop. After serving in the Criminal Investigations Division, Internal Affairs and other departments, she was tapped to serve as the Commander of the Special Operations. There, she was responsible for some of Orlando’s highest profile tasks, including special events, dignitary protection, and K-9 units.

In 2007, Demings was selected to serve as Chief for the Orlando Police Department – the first woman to ever hold that position. Her tenure was marked by a dramatic forty percent reduction in violent crime, including robberies, shootings and murders. Under her leadership, thousands of guns were removed from Orlando’s streets, and communities became safer.

As the Captain in charge of the busy Orlando International Airport on September 11, 2001, Demings is well aware of the danger that terrorists pose to the United States. While she worked to protect the airport from terrorist threat, she believes the first line of defense is diplomacy abroad. Demings supports funding the United Nations to help failed states that could become breeding grounds for terrorists. She supports full funding for non-proliferation programs that secure dangerous nuclear materials that are vulnerable to terrorist threats. She also supports decreasing the global U.S. military footprint by bringing all U.S. troops home from Afghanistan by 2014.

After twenty-seven years at the Orlando Police Department, including three and a half years as the department’s top cop, Demings decided to retire from the force and continue her commitment to public service by running for Congress in Florida’s 10th Congressional District.

Demings’ opponent is Rep. Daniel Webster (R), a former State Representative who defeated Rep. Alan Grayson (D) in 2010 in a race marked by inflammatory rhetoric. Webster is much more conservative than the voters he represents. During his tenure in the Florida state legislature, he led efforts to keep Terri Schiavo on life support and sponsored legislation to ban nude performances in bars and require women to get an ultrasound and view the results before getting an abortion. In Congress, Webster has voted to cut funding for the United Nations, against withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and in favor of limiting the President’s ability to negotiate with Iran.

This district was made more competitive in the redistricting process, and Demings stands a good chance of defeating Webster. Republicans will vigorously defend this seat, however, and Demings will need strong financial support to prevail. You can help her by making a check out to Demings for Congress and mailing it to Council for a Livable World or by donating online by clicking the button on this page.

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