U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., announced this week that she will stay in the Democratic leadership in the U.S. House.
Like she did in the past two years, Demings will serve as an assistant whip under U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-SC.
“I am honored to again serve as assistant whip for the House of Representatives. I look forward to continuing in this important role as we work to pass critical legislation to bring COVID relief to American families, create millions of new jobs, protect the right to vote, stop gun violence, ensure our civil liberties, lower the cost of health care, and so much more. Thank you to Whip Jim Clyburn for his trust. I look forward to the work ahead,” Demings said on Tuesday.
“I have known Val for many years, and she continues to serve as an invaluable member of the whip organization,” Clyburn said. “ As assistant whip, she has offered a unique perspective that has allowed us to successfully move our Democratic agenda forward. I look forward to working together during the 117th Congress.”
Demings is not the only member of the Florida delegation serving on Clyburn’s whip team. He also named U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., as a senior whip this week.
A longtime law enforcement officer who rose to be chief of the Orlando Police Department, Demings has risen quickly up the political ladder in recent years. Back in 2012, Demings offered U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., a surprisingly close race. After the latest round of congressional redistricting, the district, now including parts of Orange County, became far more palatable for Democrats. Webster packed his bags to run for an open seat up north while, despite some respectable opposition in the primary, Demings ran over her rivals to win his old seat. Demings did not face any opposition in the 2018 general election and easily kept her seat in November, taking 64 percent while Republican Vennia Francois pulled 36 percent.
In her congressional career, Demings has been given some high-profile assignments, including taking aim at the Trump administration. on immigration and health-care and focusing on national security issues. When she started her service in Congress in January 2017, Demings had a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony in Orlando with some high-profile Democrats in attendance. Then U.S. House Minority Leader and now Speaker Pelosi swore Demings in and then U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the event.
Demings, who is married to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, claimed even more of the political spotlight in 2020 when she served as a House impeachment manager and garnered consideration to be Joe Biden’s running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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