Val Demings

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Val Demings

| image = Val Demings, Official Portrait, 115th Congress (3x4).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2017

| office =

| president =

| term_start = January 3, 2017

| term_end = January 3, 2023

| status =

| predecessor = Daniel Webster

| successor = Maxwell Frost

| succeeding =

| state1 =

| district1 =

| term_start1 = December 16, 2007

| term_end1 = June 1, 2011

| predecessor1 = Michael McCoy

| successor1 = Paul Rooney

| office2 =

| term_start2 =

| term_end2 =

| predecessor2 =

| successor2 =

| office3 = First Lady of Orange County

| term_label3 = Assumed role

| term3 = December 4, 2018

| predecessor3 = Bruce Jacobs (First Gentleman)

| birth_name = Valdez Venita Butler

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|3|12}}

| birth_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| spouse = {{marriage|Jerry Demings|1988}}

| children = 3

| education = Florida State University (BS)
Webster University Orlando (MPA)

| module = {{Infobox police officer

| embed = yes

| nocat_wdimage = yes

| department = Orlando Police Department

| serviceyears = 1983–2011

| rank = Chief}}

| state = Florida

| district = {{ushr|FL|10|10th}}

| office1 = Chief of the Orlando Police Department

}}

Valdez Venita Demings (née Butler; born March 12, 1957) is an American politician and former police officer who served as U.S. representative for {{ushr|FL|10}} from 2017 to 2023. The district covered most of the western half of Orlando and includes much of the area around Orlando's resort parks. It includes many of Orlando's western suburbs, including Apopka and Winter Garden. From 2007 to 2011, Demings served as the first female chief of the Orlando Police Department, closing a 27-year career in law enforcement. She has also been first lady of Orange County, Florida, since December 4, 2018, when her husband Jerry Demings was sworn in as County Mayor.

Demings won the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. Representative from Florida's 10th congressional district in 2012. After losing to Republican incumbent Daniel Webster, she won in 2016 after the State Supreme Court mandated redistricting statewide.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-10-demings-lowe | title=Florida U.S. House 10th District Results: Val Demings Wins | work=The New York Times |location=New York City|access-date=November 8, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109085719/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-10-demings-lowe | archive-date=November 9, 2016 | url-status=live }}

On January 15, 2020, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected Demings to serve as a House impeachment manager in the first Senate trial of President Donald Trump.{{cite news |last1=DeBonis |first1=Mike |title=Schiff, Nadler lead group of House managers to prosecute Trump in Senate impeachment trial |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/schiff-nadler-lead-group-of-house-managers-to-prosecute-trump-in-senate-impeachment-trial/2020/01/15/9cc6101e-37af-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html |access-date=January 16, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Nash Holdings|location=Washington, D.C. |date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116111506/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/schiff-nadler-lead-group-of-house-managers-to-prosecute-trump-in-senate-impeachment-trial/2020/01/15/9cc6101e-37af-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |url-status=live }} In early August 2020, Demings was said to be one of the top contenders to be Joe Biden's vice-presidential running mate in the 2020 United States presidential election, along with Kamala Harris and Susan Rice.{{cite web |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Brian |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |title=Val Demings Is on Biden's V.P. List. Will Her Police Career Hurt or Help? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/val-demings-biden-vp.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115091933/https://www.nytimes.com/article/val-demings-biden-vp.html |url-status=live }} Instead of running for re-election in the House, she became the Democratic nominee in the 2022 United States Senate election in Florida, wherein she lost to Republican incumbent Marco Rubio in a landslide.

In July 2024, President Joe Biden nominated Demings to serve as a member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.

Early life and education

Valdez Venita Butler was born on March 12, 1957,{{cite magazine|url=http://info.cqrollcall.com/rs/764-XAC-282/images/CQ-NewMemberGuide-115thCongress.pdf |title=Guide to the New Congress |magazine=Roll Call |access-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524105207/http://info.cqrollcall.com/rs/764-XAC-282/images/CQ-NewMemberGuide-115thCongress.pdf |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live }} one of seven children born to a poor family; her father worked as a janitor, her mother as a maid. They lived in Mandarin, a neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended segregated schools in the 1960s and graduated from Wolfson High School in 1975.{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Leusner|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-12-16/news/Val16_1_val-demings-orlando-police-chief-jerry-demings|title=Val Demings takes over as Orlando's police chief Monday|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing Company|location=Orlando, Florida|date=December 16, 2007|access-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107185849/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-12-16/news/Val16_1_val-demings-orlando-police-chief-jerry-demings|archive-date=January 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite book |editor-last=Meyer |editor-first=Kathy |date=1975 |title=Rhombus: Yearbook of Samuel W. Wolfson High School |url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/642027188:1265 |location=Jacksonville, FL |publisher=Wolfson High School |page=195 |via=Ancestry.com |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 19, 2022 }}

Demings became interested in a career in law enforcement after serving in the "school patrol" at Dupont Junior High School. She attended Florida State University, graduating with a degree in criminology in 1979. In 1996, Demings earned a master's degree in public administration from Webster University Orlando.{{cite web |url=https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=D000627 |title=Valerie Demings |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=January 21, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805120737/https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=D000627 |url-status=live }}

Early career

After graduating from college, Demings worked as a state social worker in Jacksonville for 18 months.

In 1983, Demings applied for a job with the Orlando Police Department (OPD); her first assignment was on patrol on Orlando's west side. Demings was appointed chief of the Orlando Police Department in 2007, becoming the first woman to lead the department.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2007-11-28-police28-story.html|title=OPD MILESTONE|first=Mark|last=Schlueb|website=OrlandoSentinel.com|date=2007-11-28|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606045449/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2007-11-28-police28-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/05/05/our-take-on-demings-departure-50suptsupsuphsup-anniversary-of-mercury-capsule/|title=Val Demings' retirement opinion: Orlando Police Chief Val Demings is retiring|work=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida|date=May 5, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419093233/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-05/news/os-ed-val-demings-retirement-050511-20110504_1_mercury-capsule-val-demings-50th-anniversary|archive-date=April 19, 2013|url-status=live}} From 2007 to 2011, she oversaw a 40% decrease in violent crime.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-val-demings-profile-biden-running-mate-20200605-zmgqqhgpxrbcbhws4l22b66uaa-story.html|title=Val Demings' Orlando police career could hurt — or help — her chances to become Joe Biden's running mate|first1=Steven|last1=Lemongello|first2=Jeff|last2=Weiner|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030071701/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-val-demings-profile-biden-running-mate-20200605-zmgqqhgpxrbcbhws4l22b66uaa-story.html|url-status=live}}

According to a 2015 article in The Atlantic, the Orlando Police Department "has a long record of excessive-force allegations, and a lack of transparency on the subject, dating back at least as far as Demings's time as chief." A 2008 Orlando Weekly exposé described the Orlando Police Department as "a place where rogue cops operate with impunity, and there's nothing anybody who finds himself at the wrong end of their short fuse can do about it."{{Cite web|last=Billman|first=Jeffrey C.|date=July 10, 2008|title=MIGHT MAKES RIGHT|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/might-makes-right/Content?oid=2273944|access-date=June 4, 2020|website=Orlando Weekly|language=en-us|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604135653/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/might-makes-right/Content?oid=2273944|url-status=live}} Demings responded with an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel, writing, "Looking for a negative story in a police department is like looking for a prayer at church", adding, "It won't take long to find one." In the same op-ed, she cast doubt on video evidence that conflicts with officers' statements in excessive force cases, writing, "a few seconds (even of video) rarely capture the entire set of circumstances."{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Jack |title=Orlando Police Complaints in the Spotlight as African-American Ex-Chief Runs for Congress |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/orlando-police-complaints-in-the-spotlight-as-african-american-ex-chief-runs-for-congress/443526/ |magazine=The Atlantic |publisher=Emerson Collective |location=Boston, Massachusetts |date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=September 8, 2015 |archive-date=November 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110105711/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/orlando-police-complaints-in-the-spotlight-as-african-american-ex-chief-runs-for-congress/443526/ |url-status=live }}

In 2009, she had her firearm, a Sig Sauer P226R, stolen from her department vehicle while parked at her home; she was issued a written censure. The firearm has not been recovered.{{Cite web|last=Pacheco|first=Walter|title=Demings censured for not properly securing gun|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2009-04-10-demings10-story.html|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=OrlandoSentinel.com|language=en-US|date=2009-04-10|archive-date=March 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310232659/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2009-04-10-demings10-story.html|url-status=live}}

Demings retired from her position as chief of OPD effective June 1, 2011, after serving with the OPD for 27 years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2011-05-03-os-orlando-police-chief-retires-20110503-story.html|title=Val Demings retiring, Deputy Chief Paul Rooney is new Orlando police chief|first=Mark|last=Schlueb|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|date=May 3, 2011|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505181013/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2011-05-03-os-orlando-police-chief-retires-20110503-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Schlueb|first=Mark|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/05/03/val-demings-retiring-deputy-chief-paul-rooney-is-new-orlando-police-chief/|title=Orlando Police Chief Val Demings retiring: Orlando Police Chief Val Demings is retiring|work=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida|date=May 3, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111203725/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-03/news/os-orlando-police-chief-retires-20110503_1_police-chief-val-demings-jerry-demings-new-orlando-police|archive-date=November 11, 2013|url-status=live}}

U.S. House of Representatives

= Elections =

== 2016 ==

{{see also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 10}}

Demings was the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives in Florida's 10th congressional district in the 2012 elections.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Merissa|date=October 1, 2012|title=Rep. Daniel Webster Challenged By Val Demings, Ex-Chief of Police|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20121001/POLITICS/121009944|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004233549/http://www.theledger.com/article/20121001/POLITICS/121009944|archive-date=October 4, 2012|access-date=October 3, 2012|work=The Ledger}} She faced freshman Republican Daniel Webster in a district that had been made slightly more Republican than its predecessor in 2010. Demings narrowly lost, taking 48% of the vote to Webster's 51%.{{cite news|last=Schlueb|first=Mark|date=November 6, 2012|title=Dan Webster beats Val Demings, wins second term|work=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-11-06/news/os-dan-webster-val-demings-20121106_1_dan-webster-alan-grayson-campaign-trail|url-status=dead|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107192327/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-11-06/news/os-dan-webster-val-demings-20121106_1_dan-webster-alan-grayson-campaign-trail|archive-date=January 7, 2014}}

Democrats attempted to recruit Demings to run against Webster again in 2014.{{cite news|last=Damron|first=David|date=October 7, 2013|title=Demings still undecided on next political move|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/political-pulse/os-demings-still-undecided-on-next-political-move-20131007,0,488744.post|url-status=dead|access-date=January 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107191241/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/political-pulse/os-demings-still-undecided-on-next-political-move-20131007,0,488744.post|archive-date=January 7, 2014}} She decided to run for mayor of Orange County, Florida, against Teresa Jacobs, instead,{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=January 7, 2014|title=Val Demings takes on Teresa Jacobs for Orange County Mayor|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/political-pulse/os-val-demings-takes-on-teresa-jacobs-for-orange-county-mayor-20140107,0,342973.post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107191858/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/political-pulse/os-val-demings-takes-on-teresa-jacobs-for-orange-county-mayor-20140107,0,342973.post|archive-date=January 7, 2014|access-date=January 7, 2014|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel}} but dropped out of the mayoral race on May 20, 2014.{{cite web|title=Val Demings drops out of Orange County mayoral race|url=http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/5/20/val_demings_mayor.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102342/http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/5/20/val_demings_mayor.html|archive-date=May 18, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2015|work=mynews13.com}}

In 2015, Demings announced her candidacy for the 10th district seat after a court-ordered redistricting made the 10th significantly more Democratic ahead of the 2016 elections.{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=August 17, 2015|title=Val Demings to run for Congress|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-val-demings-to-run-for-congress-20150817-post.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818125659/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-val-demings-to-run-for-congress-20150817-post.html|archive-date=August 18, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel}} Webster concluded the new 10th was unwinnable, and ran for reelection in the nearby 11th district.

Demings won the Democratic nomination on August 30{{cite web|date=August 30, 2016|title=Val Demings wins Democratic primary for US House District 10: Former Orlando police chief to face off against Thuy Lowe in November|url=http://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/winner-declared-in-district-10-race|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901145425/http://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/winner-declared-in-district-10-race|archive-date=September 1, 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=clickorlando.com}} and the general election in November with 65% of the vote.{{cite web|last=Comas|first=Martin E.|date=November 8, 2016|title=Political newcomer Murphy pulls stunner, unseats Mica; Demings defeats Lowe|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-election-us-congress-20161107-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043753/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-election-us-congress-20161107-story.html|archive-date=November 10, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Orlando, Florida}}{{cite web|title=Florida U.S. House 10th District Results: Val Demings Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-10-demings-lowe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109085719/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-10-demings-lowe|archive-date=November 9, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2016|work=The New York Times|location=New York City}} She is the third Democrat to win this Orlando-based district since its creation in 1973 (it was numbered as the 5th from 1973 to 1993, the 8th from 1993 to 2013, and has been the 10th since 2013).

== 2018 ==

{{see also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 10}}In her 2018 reelection campaign, Demings was unopposed for a second term.{{Cite news|title=House elections 2018: Uncontested races - Washington Post|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/politics/midterms-uncontested-candidates/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021011403/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/politics/midterms-uncontested-candidates/|archive-date=October 21, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2018}}

== 2020 ==

{{see also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 10}}On May 21, 2020, Demings confirmed she was on "the shortlist" to be Joe Biden's vice presidential nominee for the 2020 presidential election. She said she would accept the role if offered.{{Cite web|date=May 21, 2020|title=Demings Says She's on Biden's Shortlist|url=https://politicalwire.com/2020/05/21/demings-says-shes-on-bidens-shortlist/|access-date=May 22, 2020|website=Political Wire|language=en-US|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529141837/https://politicalwire.com/2020/05/21/demings-says-shes-on-bidens-shortlist/|url-status=live}} Some critics, including Black Lives Matter activists, criticized her record as Orlando police chief.{{cite news|date=June 19, 2020|title=Former cop Demings faces progressive pushback in veepstakes|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503492-former-cop-demings-faces-progressive-pushback-in-veepstakes|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626083840/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503492-former-cop-demings-faces-progressive-pushback-in-veepstakes|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=June 15, 2020|title=Criminal Justice Backgrounds of Kamala Harris, Val Demings Come Into Question As Joe Biden Shortlists Them For VP|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/criminal-justice-backgrounds-kamala-harris-val-demings-come-question-joe-biden-shortlists-them-1510993|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627024321/https://www.newsweek.com/criminal-justice-backgrounds-kamala-harris-val-demings-come-question-joe-biden-shortlists-them-1510993|url-status=live}} Kamala Harris was announced as Biden's running mate on August 11, 2020. In November 2020, Demings was named a candidate for United States Secretary of Homeland Security in the Biden administration.{{cite news|date=November 11, 2020|title=Who Are Contenders for Biden's Cabinet?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035918/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage|url-status=live}}

=Tenure=

File:Congressional Black Caucus women 2019.jpg women]]

Demings was sworn in on January 3, 2017. She is a member of the New Democrat Coalition{{cite web|title=Caucus Members|work=New Democrat Coalition |url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional New Democrat Coalition|access-date=January 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live}} and the Congressional Black Caucus.{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://cbc.house.gov/membership/|publisher=Congressional Black Caucus|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427095736/https://cbc.house.gov/membership/|archive-date=April 27, 2019|url-status=live}}

As of March 2022, Demings had voted in line with Biden's stated position 100% of the time.{{cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/val-demings/ |website=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=28 March 2022 |language=en |date=2021-04-22 |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124153206/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/val-demings/ |url-status=dead }}

=Committee assignments=

=Caucus memberships=

New Democrat Coalition"[https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/members#Florida Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members#Florida |date=February 8, 2018 }}". New Democrat Coalition. newdemocratcoalition.house.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2020.{{cite web|title=Members|work=New Democrat Coalition |url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|archive-date=February 8, 2018|url-status=live}}
Congressional Black Caucus

2022 U.S. Senate campaign

In June 2021, Demings announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Florida's 2022 U.S. Senate election.{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-val-demings-senate-run-20210609-67aar5ycjjekfpvyjdrwzwbxhi-story.html |title=Val Demings launches 2022 campaign for Senate against Marco Rubio |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=June 9, 2021 |first=Steven |last=Lemongello |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609113621/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-val-demings-senate-run-20210609-67aar5ycjjekfpvyjdrwzwbxhi-story.html |url-status=live }} The incumbent U.S. Senator, Republican Marco Rubio, ran for reelection in 2022. In March 2022, PolitiFact reported that Demings falsely claimed that Rubio supported tax hikes.{{cite news |last1=Washington |first1=District of Columbia 1800 I. Street NW |title=PolitiFact - No proof for Val Demings claim that Marco Rubio backs tax hikes like those indicated in Scott's plan |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/mar/09/val-demings/no-proof-val-demings-claim-marco-rubio-backs-tax-h/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=@politifact |date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310163241/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/mar/09/val-demings/no-proof-val-demings-claim-marco-rubio-backs-tax-h/ |url-status=live }} She lost to Rubio in the November 8, 2022, general election.

Post-congressional career

On July 25, 2024, President Joe Biden nominated Demings to serve as a member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.{{Cite press release |title=President Biden Announces Nominees |date=July 25, 2024 |publisher=The White House |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/25/president-biden-announces-nominees-4/ |access-date=July 25, 2024}}

Political positions

=Abortion=

Demings received a 100% voting score from NARAL Pro-Choice America for 2017, 2018, and 2019.{{cite web |title=Val Demings (D) Score |url=https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/val-demings/ |website=NARAL Pro-Choice |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607153153/https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/val-demings/ |url-status=live }} She received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund for 2020.{{cite web |title=2020 Congressional Scorecard |url=https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/congressional-scorecard#FL/721/ |website=Planned Parenthood Action Fund |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614213745/http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/elections-politics/congressional-scorecard/#FL/721/ |url-status=live }} She has an F rating from the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List.{{cite web |title=Nationsl anti-scorecard- Val Demings |url=https://www.sba-list.org/representative/val-demings |website=Susan B Anthony LIst |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606150656/https://www.sba-list.org/representative/val-demings |url-status=live }}

=Civil liberties=

Demings received a 100% rating from the American Civil Liberties Union for the 117th Congress.{{cite web |title=LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD Scorecard forVal Butler Demings |url=https://www.aclu.org/scorecard/legislators/fl-val-demings/ |website=American Civil Liberties Union |access-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506124416/https://www.aclu.org/scorecard/legislators/fl-val-demings/ |url-status=live }}

= Climate and environment =

Demings received a 97% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters based on scores from 2017 to 2021.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-14 |title=Check out Representative Val Demings's Environmental Voting Record |url=https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/val-demings |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=League of Conservation Voters Scorecard |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701082331/https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/val-demings |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Analysis {{!}} Leading climate group endorses six Democrats running for Senate |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/02/leading-climate-group-endorses-six-democrats-running-senate/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206211104/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/02/leading-climate-group-endorses-six-democrats-running-senate/ |url-status=live }}

=Filibuster=

Demings supports eliminating the filibuster in the United States Senate.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-22 |title=Rep. Demings Comments on Senate Filibuster |url=https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-comments-senate-filibuster |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=U.S. Representative Val Demings |language=en |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830051126/https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-comments-senate-filibuster |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-10 |title=Val Demings: 'Time Is Now' To Get Rid Of Senate Filibuster, Eviction Pause Expiring, And COVID Climb |url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/local-state/2021-07-10/val-demings-time-is-now-to-get-rid-of-senate-filibuster-eviction-pause-expiring-and-covid-climb |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=WUSF Public Media |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625115810/https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/local-state/2021-07-10/val-demings-time-is-now-to-get-rid-of-senate-filibuster-eviction-pause-expiring-and-covid-climb |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Demings |first=Val |title=Voters didn't elect us to do nothing and blame the Senate filibuster. Get rid of it. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/06/27/filibuster-blocks-progress-minimum-wage-voter-suppression/7781249002/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627165255/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/06/27/filibuster-blocks-progress-minimum-wage-voter-suppression/7781249002/ |url-status=live }}

=Gun policy=

Demings has said that she seeks to keep firearms out of the hands of "people who seek to do harm", saying that the gun control legislation she supports "isn’t about taking guns away from responsible, law-abiding people."{{cite news |last=Demings |first=Val |date=June 12, 2017 |title=A year after Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, we're going backward on guns |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/06/12/year-after-pulse-we-havent-learned-our-lesson-val-demings-column/102775094/ |work=USA Today |location=McLean, Virginia |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306084524/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/06/12/year-after-pulse-we-havent-learned-our-lesson-val-demings-column/102775094/ |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |url-status=live }} She supported the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act of 2017, which would have provided a lawful method of temporarily confiscating firearms from people deemed to be a threat to themselves or others. Of the act, Demings said, "We must do what we can to make sure law enforcement has the tools it needs to more effectively perform the ever more challenging job of keeping us a safe nation. The Gun Violence Restraining Order Act is a major step to doing just that."{{cite web| url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/256529-val-demings-pushes-bill-seek-gun-restraining-orders-mentally-ill| title=Val Demings pushes bill to seek gun restraining orders on people deemed dangerous| last=Powers| first=Scott| date=February 16, 2018| website=Florida Politics| publisher=Peter Schorsch| access-date=March 5, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306083247/http://floridapolitics.com/archives/256529-val-demings-pushes-bill-seek-gun-restraining-orders-mentally-ill| archive-date=March 6, 2018| url-status=live}} After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, Demings opposed arming teachers, calling the idea "ridiculous"{{cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/shooting-survivors-family-tell-trump-emotional-stories |title=Shooting Survivors, Victims' Families Tell Trump Emotional Stories |last=Bennett |first=John T. |date=February 21, 2018 |website=Roll Call |publisher=CQ Roll Call |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142305/https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/shooting-survivors-family-tell-trump-emotional-stories |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |url-status=live }} and saying it would "only shift the responsibility from lawmakers to others. It shifts the pain, the hurt, and the guilt to school staff who will find themselves outskilled and outgunned in active shooter situations."

Demings has an "F" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF).{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Florida |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107141309/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |language=en-us |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web| url=https://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/05/01/12591/gun-lobbys-money-and-power-still-holds-sway-over-congress| title=Gun lobby's money and power still holds sway over Congress| last=Berlow| first=Alan| date=May 1, 2013| website=The Center for Public Integrity| access-date=March 5, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306083656/https://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/05/01/12591/gun-lobbys-money-and-power-still-holds-sway-over-congress| archive-date=March 6, 2018| url-status=live}} She has accused the NRA of "hijacking" conversations after mass shootings in the United States to make them about the Second Amendment.{{cite news |last=Yanes |first=Nadeen |date=February 16, 2018 |title=What have Florida's politicians done to change gun laws? |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/guns-and-national-politics-in-the-sunshine-state |work=News 6 |location=Orlando, Florida |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306082651/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/guns-and-national-politics-in-the-sunshine-state |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |url-status=live }}

=Healthcare=

Demings supports and has vowed to defend the Affordable Care Act.{{cite web |last1=Gillespie |first1=Ryan |title=Val Demings vows to defend Affordable Care Act at Sunday town hall |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-val-demings-aca-townhall-20170222-story.html |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 26, 2017 |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228033700/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-val-demings-aca-townhall-20170222-story.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2019 Demings released a congressional report on insulin prices, criticizing manufacturers for raising prices well beyond manufacturing costs, and said it was "inexcusable that American families are dying for the sake of corporate profit."{{cite web |last1=Powers |first1=Scott |title=Val Demings issues report on insulin: 'It is inexcusable' |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/298829-val-demings-issues-report-on-insulin-it-is-inexcusable |website=Florida Politics |date=February 26, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614163931/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/298829-val-demings-issues-report-on-insulin-it-is-inexcusable |url-status=live }}

=Impeachments of President Donald Trump=

On December 18, 2019, Demings voted for both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12|title=WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump|first=Grace|last=Panetta|magazine=Business Insider|publisher=Springer|location=New York City|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=February 23, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224170114/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12|url-status=live}} She was selected as one of seven House impeachment managers who presented the impeachment case against Trump during his trial before the United States Senate.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/pelosi-taps-schiff-nadler-as-trump-impeachment-managers.html|title=Pelosi taps Schiff, Nadler and 5 others as Trump impeachment managers|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=January 15, 2020|website=CNBC|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115171458/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/pelosi-taps-schiff-nadler-as-trump-impeachment-managers.html|archive-date=January 15, 2020|url-status=dead}}

On January 13, 2021, Demings voted for the single article of impeachment in the second impeachment of President Donald Trump.{{cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |title=Roll Call 17, Bill Number: H. Res. 24, 117th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=January 13, 2021 |date=January 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113221030/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117 |url-status=live }}

=2021 U.S. Electoral College vote count=

Citing the unusually contested 2021 United States Electoral College vote count and the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Demings joined Representative Cori Bush in sponsoring House Resolution 25 on January 11, 2021, seeking to expel the 138 Republican U.S. Representatives who voted to object to the electoral college certification.{{cite web |title=H.Res.25 - Directing the Committee on Ethics to investigate, and issue a report on, whether any and all actions taken by Members of the 117th Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 Presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution or the Rules of the House of Representatives, and should face sanction, including removal from the House of Representatives. |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/25 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112170945/https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/25 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Manjarres |first1=Javier |title=Demings still pushing for full GOP riot accountability |url=https://floridianpress.com/2021/01/demings-still-pushing-for-full-gop-riot-accountability/ |website=The Floridian |date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202193238/https://floridianpress.com/2021/01/demings-still-pushing-for-full-gop-riot-accountability/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Benchaabane |first1=Nassim |title=Bush files resolution to expel Republican lawmakers who objected to election results |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bush-files-resolution-to-expel-republican-lawmakers-who-objected-to-election-results/article_f4ac4af0-6003-5d87-9480-9a11ce6e40d2.html |website=St Louis Post-Dispatch Today |date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210190231/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bush-files-resolution-to-expel-republican-lawmakers-who-objected-to-election-results/article_f4ac4af0-6003-5d87-9480-9a11ce6e40d2.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Congressional Staff |title=REP. DEMINGS DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY |url=https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-demands-accountability |website=Demings.house.gov |date=January 11, 2021 |publisher=Press Release |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111171845/https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-demands-accountability |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Demings's husband, Jerry Demings, is mayor of Orange County, Florida, and the former Orange County Sheriff. He served as the chief of the Orlando Police Department, the first African American to do so, from 1999 to 2002.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28841683 |title=Married cops to head next-door agencies – US news – Life |work=NBC News |date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107191832/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28841683/ |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |url-status=live }} The two met on patrol in the OPD; they married in 1988 and have three children.

Demings is a member of The Links and Delta Sigma Theta sorority.{{Cite web|date=2019-04-20|title=Civil Rights Icon John Lewis Lauds The Links, Incorporated and Issues Voting Rights Call to Action|url=https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/civil-rights-icon-john-lewis-lauds-the-links-incorporated-and-issues|access-date=2022-02-09|website=Congresswoman Joyce Beatty|language=en|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209155332/https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/civil-rights-icon-john-lewis-lauds-the-links-incorporated-and-issues|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=2017-01-05 |title=Congresswoman Demings |url=https://demings.house.gov/about/congresswoman-demings |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=U.S. Representative Val Demings |language=en |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013234908/https://demings.house.gov/about/congresswoman-demings |url-status=live }}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida 10th Congressional District 2012 General Election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Daniel Webster (Incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 164,649

| percentage = 51.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Val Demings

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 153,574

| percentage = 48.3

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Naipaul Seegolam

| party = Write-In

| votes = 46

| percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 318,269

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Florida 10th Congressional District 2016 Primary Election {{cite news|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=8/30/2016&DATAMODE= |title=August 30, 2016 Primary Election Official Results |date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=November 17, 2016 |publisher=Florida Division of Elections }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Val Demings

| votes = 23,260

| percentage = 57.12

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Geraldine F. Thompson

| votes = 8,192

| percentage = 20.12

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Bob Poe

| votes = 6,918

| percentage = 16.99

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Fatima Rita Fahmy

| votes = 2,349

| percentage = 5.77

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 40,719

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida 10th Congressional District 2016 General Election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Val Demings

| votes = 198,491

| percentage = 64.87

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Thuy Lowe

| votes = 107,498

| percentage = 35.13

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 305,989

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (US)

| loser = Republican Party (US)

| swing =

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2018 Florida 10th Congressional District Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Val Demings (incumbent)

|votes = 73,583

|percentage = 75.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Wade Darius

|votes = 24,519

|percentage = 25.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 98,102

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Florida 10th Congressional District 2020 Election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Val Demings (incumbent)

|votes = 239,434

|percentage = 63.61%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vennia Francois

|votes = 136,889

|percentage = 36.36%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (United States)

|candidate = Sufiyah Yasmine (write-in)

|votes = 74

|percentage = 0.01%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 376,397

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin

| title = United States Senate election in Florida, 2022{{cite web |title=2022 General Election - Official Results: U.S. Senator |url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/2022&DATAMODE=|website=Florida Election Watch}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Marco Rubio (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,474,847

| percentage = 57.68%

| change = +5.70%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Val Demings|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=3,201,522|percentage=41.27%|change=-3.04%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Dennis Misigoy|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|votes=32,177|percentage=0.41%|change=-1.71%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Steven B. Grant|party=Independent (United States)|votes=31,816|percentage=0.41%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Tuan TQ Nguyen|party=Independent (United States)|votes=17,385|percentage=0.22%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

| votes = 267

| percentage = 0.00%

| change = ±0.00%

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 7,758,014

| percentage = 100.00%

| change = N/A

}}