Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings endorses Biden ahead of Florida primary

Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) on Thursday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden’s White House bid ahead of the Sunshine State’s Democratic primary on March 17. 

“America is always at its best when people have the opportunity to succeed and we have leaders who understand that. That’s why I am so proud to endorse Joe Biden for the next president of the United States,” Demings told CNN’s “New Day.”

“If we look at Vice President Biden’s record, he has been there in the trenches fighting for those things that are important to the American people,” she continued. “So I’m excited about this opportunity. I’m excited about the upcoming primary in Florida, and let’s get this done.” 

Florida Rep. Val Demings endorses Joe Biden for president https://t.co/p1SjYAjvvj pic.twitter.com/95t0RMG0Sq

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 5, 2020

Demings served as a House manager in the impeachment trial of President Trump. Prior to serving in Congress, she was the first woman to hold the position of chief of the Orlando Police Department. 

Demings represents the state’s 10th Congressional District, which spans from the Gulf Coast to parts of Central Florida.

There are 248 delegates at stake in Florida’s primary. A survey released by St. Pete Polls late last month showed Biden with 35 percent support in the state, followed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has since dropped out of the race, at 25 percent support. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had 13 percent support. 

Demings’s announcement is the latest in a slew of congressional endorsements for the former president after his momentous showing on Super Tuesday, when he won 10 states. 

New Hampshire Rep. Ann Kuster (D), who chaired Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign before the former South Bend, Ind., major dropped out of the race, threw her support behind Biden on Thursday. Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown (D) also endorsed Biden.