In the November election, Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) came short in her bid to replace Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R). The former Orlando police chief had once been considered for the role of President Joe Biden’s (D) Vice President. Voters decidedly reelected Sen. Rubio, and Rep. Demings has ended her time as a representative of Florida’s 10th congressional district.
Taking to social media, Demings reflected on her time in office and offered an idea of what the future holds.
Demings expressed that serving the people of Florida’s 10th congressional district has been “one of the great honors” and that she will continue to pray for Florida’s elected leaders.
She warned that “our democracy will continue to be tested,” saying that “democracy is not always easy, but it makes us free, keeps us safe, and is the foundation of all our prosperity.”
It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve as your 10th District Representative in Congress.
I will be keeping America’s newly elected leaders in my prayers as they fight for the safety of our communities and the restoration of the American Dream. pic.twitter.com/B8EKFFb9xA
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 1, 2023
Since Demings had to resign from her seat in order to pursue Senator Rubio’s seat, an election was also held to determine who would be replacing Demings. Subsequently, Maxwell Frost (D) won the election, signaling that the district will remain blue. Frost is also the first Generation Z politician that has been elected to office.
Invoking President John F. Kennedy (D), Demings reflected on Kennedy saying that “we are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.” Because of this, it’s expected that Demings will still be involved in the political arena to some extent as she reminded that “protecting our republic – and the opportunities and security that it provides – is a sacred obligation, one that we all share, together.”
Demings was elected to the House in 2017, shifting the district from red to blue.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve you. I do believe that the best is yet to come,” Demings shared.
