‘We can win this race.’ Demings turns to Miami Haitians in bid for Senate

With 99 days to go until the midterm general elections, U.S. Rep. Val Demings met with Haitian-American leaders in North Miami on Monday, invoking former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and touting her money lead over her Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

At two separate events, Demings, an Orlando Democrat, spoke with community members and answered questions about her position on U.S. policy towards Haiti, immigration, affordable housing and student loan debt.

“This is a tough race. Of course it’s tough. But it’s winnable. And nobody knows that more than my opponent,” Demings told a crowd of business leaders and local elected officials at the Wildcat Center complex. “We can win this race. We can win, regardless of those that want you to believe that we cannot.”

Demings told the room of about 20 supporters that her path to victory would be “a turnout game,” and reminded the group that Obama was able to win Florida twice because of grassroots mobilization.

“He couldn’t get 15 people in a room when he started out. But [he won] because he believed and he had an agenda that included the people,” Demings said. “We can do better. And we must do better. We don’t have to settle for someone that is familiar to us. You’re either with me or you’re not. Your agenda either includes me, or it does not.”

Demings’ event in North Miami, the second time she has campaigned with the South Florida Haitian community in past months, took place as Vice President Kamala Harris visited Sweetwater to roll out a $50 million investment to prevent flooding and storm surge in Miami’s low-lying communities.

Elizabeth Gregory, Rubio’s campaign communications director, tied the two visits in a statement, saying they would have to “face Floridians who know Washington Democrats are to blame as they struggle to make ends meet.”

“Val Demings has celebrated every disastrous decision made by the White House, including the radical spending that got us into the Biden Recession,” Gregory said in the statement.

In an interview, Demings told the Herald that she was not “playing politics” with Harris’ visit and that she would support a policy that is “good for Florida,” regardless of the political party.

“I know that the voters are sick and tired of him [Rubio] playing politics. If this administration or the former administration is proposing something that’s good for Florida, then it’s good with me. If it’s bad for Florida, then it is bad for me,” Demings said.

Some community leaders said they were grateful that Demings sat down with Haitian community leaders to hear their concerns.

Gepsie Metellus, executive director of the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, said she was pleased with Demings’ understanding of the political and humanitarian crises in Haiti.

“I think she’s here. She’s just present, she is seeking to learn, seeking to understand, seeking input,” Metellus said.. “I appreciate that because I haven’t seen that from Senator Rubio.”

Demings will continue campaigning throughout the state this week, with additional meetings in other Caribbean communities in Broward County on Tuesday.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, who introduced Demings at one of the events, also thanked Demings for her visit.

“Rarely do we have a candidate who’s willing to have a conversation in North Miami. It’s not just show up and campaign. But fielding questions, having a relationship and building a relationship with the community,” Monestime said.