ORLANDO, Fla. — In 2020, U.S. Rep. Val Demings took some heat from progressives and police reform advocates when her name was floated as Joe Biden’s running mate, largely over her record as Orlando police chief.
A year later, some of that skepticism remains about the Orlando Democrat. But now, her campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio next year and an increased focus on health care and economic issues have most progressive groups generally positive about her.
“This is really not about her being a police officer,” said Sheena Rolle, senior director of strategy for the organization Florida Rising. “I’m really interested in what she’s committing to and what she’s delivering on for the people that live in her district.”
