For those of you who haven’t read my blogs before, my name is Gay Valimont, and I’m the only democrat running against Matt Gaetz in FL’s panhandle.
Today’s a big day for a number of reasons. Tomorrow we enter a government shutdown, and thousands of families in Gaetz’s district will lose their income. We have multiple military bases in the panhandle, and I personally know many families who are scared of how long this will last. Today’s also the last day of the fundraising quarter. You’ll get blasted with calls, emails, and texts, from all over the country. Republicans are in the same boat.
Because for some reason, in America, I’ve learned your viability as a candidate is entirely measured by the number that shows up next to your name in your report a few times a year. I’d love to get money out of politics. I’d love to spend every day out in my district, knocking doors, and attending events. And, while I do some of that, I spend a lot of my days on the phone calling folks and asking them to give me money. Since I launched, I’ve done that for about 80+ hours. Some days it’s really depressing.
But I keep pushing. I’m doing this because my late husband and son wouldn’t want me to sit on the beach and do nothing with my life. When I was in leadership in gun violence prevention movements in Florida, they were so supportive. I know my district deserves better than Matt Gaetz, and I know it’s going to be an uphill battle, so I’m going to do whatever it takes, which means making those calls.
Today, even though it’s the last day of the quarter, I’ve decided I’m spending it out in the community. Today’s my official kickoff, and we are doing it downtown Pensacola, in the middle of the annual Seafood Festival. Even though we’ve been campaigning for over 7 weeks, I’m excited to be public facing officially. I got recognized in public yesterday for the first time, and it’s really starting to feel real.
While the work is just beginning, I’m taking solace in the fact that I’m doing the right thing, and that I’m not going to let fundraising deadlines suck the joy out of fighting for my community. If you are in the panhandle, please drop by today so I can shake your hand, and thank you for being so supportive.
Love always,
Gay Valimont
Candidate for Congress CD-1
@gayforcongress
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