Demings on possible Senate, Florida governor run: ‘I’m keeping that door open’

Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) said she is open to the possibility of running for Florida governor or one of the state’s seats in the U.S. Senate in 2022. 

“I certainly would not talk about any private conversations that I’m having,” Demings said Wednesday during a live event with The Washington Post. “But as I said, there’s plenty of work to do in the House right now. If that would take me to another campaign, then I’m keeping that door open.”

Demings, a progressive Democrat, was one of several managers tapped by House leadership last year to prosecute the case against former President Trump during his first impeachment trial in the Senate. 

She was also reportedly on President Biden’s short list for vice president in May. 

“I have dedicated my life to public service. I chose tough jobs. I worked right out of college as a social worker, for 27 years at the police department and had the honor of serving as the chief of police,” Demings said at the time. “Now I am in Congress. I am trying hard every day to do that job right so we can take care of the people who are struggling in this community the most.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is up for reelection in 2022, as is GOP Sen. Marco Rubio. 

Demings has criticized DeSantis over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and what she says are lax public health measures that are not based in science.