Rubio Questions “Where was Val?’

Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s (R) campaign has released a new advertisement, questioning “where was Val?” The advertisement, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, questions where Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) was during the pandemic. Citing Rubio’s contributions to the Payment Protection Plan, the advertisement argues that “the choice is clear.”

In the advertisement, it makes a distinction between Rubio and Demings, showing media clips praising Rubio for his legislative contributions during the pandemic. In contrast, the advertisement has media clips of Demings during interviews, citing that she was on the shortlist to be President Joe Biden’s (D) Vice Presidential pick. While Demings didn’t become the Vice President, she’s been questioned over her intentions to campaign with the President ahead of the midterm election.

Over the weekend, the senatorial hopeful did attend a Pride event, campaigning with First Lady Jill Biden (D) and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist (D). The event was called the “Fight for our Rights” event. In the event, First Lady Biden praised “Chief Demings” and Rep. Crist, urging voters to unseat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and Senator Rubio.

Instead, the Rubio advertisement argues that Demings has “played party politics.”

“While Val focused on politics, Marco got to work,” the advertisement argues, adding that “Marco created PPP. Val played party politics.”

Currently, Senator Rubio is polling higher than Demings, but Demings maintains that her campaign will gain the momentum to unseat Rubio in November.

Both Rubio and Demings have now accused the other of not doing enough in office, and Demings has aggressively campaigned against Rubio through advertisements, saying that Rubio has not been effective for his constituents. However, Rubio has countered Demings’ claim, arguing that he has been listed as the most effective Republican Senator. Last year, according to a non-partisan analysis presented by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, Rubio was ranked “as the top performing Republican.”

Demings took to social media this weekend to announce that she introduced the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, saying that she’s “fighting for a Haiti free from fear and gang violence, where the Haitian people have the safety and freedom to build their own future.”