US Representative Val Demings sent out three campaign fundraising texts to Floridians shortly after Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida.
Ian decimated entire coastal towns on Florida’s west coast and left countless Floridians without food, power, and shelter
Rep. Demings has not been seen on the ground assisting Florida residents during or after Hurricane Ian, yet Demings' political fundraising efforts remained constant throughout the entire duration of the storm.
It is unknown whether Demings’ untimely fundraising requests are the result of a technical fluke or a gross lack of judgment.
Remember, there are no coincidences in politics.
Demings, who currently represents Florida's 10th congressional district, is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Senator Marco Rubio.
On September 29, as Hurricane Ian choked Central Florida, Demings sent out an SMS notifying Floridians of the need for “a MASSIVE fundraising push to get more ads on the air, hire staff to knock on doors, and stop Rubio”.
Fundraising efforts did not stop there. Indeed, as Floridians woke up on Friday, September 30th, to war-like destruction in their communities, Demings sent out another fundraising text.
This time around, Demings informed voters, many of which have lost their homes and businesses, that they “can either sit on the sidelines and let Marco Rubio and the GOP destroy critical progress, or you can step in with a generous $25 to help me protect Florida and our Democratic Senate majority”.
Finally, while the first day of post-hurricane reparations wrapped up, Demings sent out yet another fundraising communication. “Please, will you chip in right away?” read Demings’ fundraising request.
But just as her fundraising text message was sent out, Demings put out an email well-wishing Floridians and boasting about her past "first responder" career.
"I'm on the ground in Florida responding to Hurricane Ian, and I wanted to reach out to all Floridians during this trying time," stated Demings. "In the face of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, our community is being called to rise together and overcome. I spent nearly three decades as a first responder, so I know it won't be easy – but Floridians are resilient people. We always have been. And when we step up to help one another, we can get through anything."
We're in this together, and I will be there every step of the way. I've worked with the Biden administration to receive federal disaster assistance – and now, I'm working to save Florida families from evictions and foreclosures after the storm
Similarly, in a seemingly coordinated fashion, Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Crist also scavenged for campaign funds moments before Hurricane Ian landed on Florida’s shores.
Meanwhile, The Floridian had the opportunity to speak directly with Senator Marco Rubio in Lee County the day after the storm struck where the senior senator told us that he had met with Gov. Ron DeSantis and emergency personnel to discuss the ongoing rescue efforts.
Senator Rubio was uninterested in entertaining discussions regarding his upcoming midterm election nor spending any time campaigning as he met with Lee County Officials. Storm recovery appears to be the only thing on Sen. Rubio's mind right now.
Jeanette & I just visited the @LeeEOC & @SheriffLeeFL
Search & rescue efforts ongoing & the full damage still being assessed but it is clear the damage is historic #IanHurricane pic.twitter.com/J5ZDHthmoo
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) September 29, 2022
