PLANTATION, Fla. – Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful and current U.S. Rep. Val Demings campaigned in South Florida Friday, meeting with a group of Asian-Americans in Plantation and speaking about affordable housing in Coconut Grove.
In Plantation, there was a particular focus on crime. Members of the community shared stories of facing discrimination.
“Hate crime of any kind is unacceptable. And I don’t care what the group looks like, who has been hated against, I’ve dedicated my life as a law enforcement officer to fighting against that,” Demings said.
The congresswoman herself brought up the topic of defunding police. The former Orlando police chief made it emphatically clear where she stands on that issue.
“I don’t know how much Marco Rubio underestimates Floridians, but if he thinks he can make anybody believe that I want to defund the police -- I am the police,” Demings said.
Demings also highlighted her difference with Rubio on abortion. Rubio has said he opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.
“As a former police detective, a former police sergeant who investigated cases of rape, incest and abuse in the crimes against children unit, I think that’s disgraceful and disgusting,” she said.
After her stop in Plantation, Demings visited Coconut Grove to speak about affordable housing alongside former Miami City Commissioner Thelma Gibson.
The one voting bloc that Demings didn’t reach out to in her visits Friday was Spanish-speaking voters.
That demographic is her Achilles heel and Rubio thinks he’s got those voters all locked up.