Hi everyone!
My name is Gay Valimont- I’m an activist with Moms Demand Action. As we’ve seen FL sliding downhill in the last few years, I’ve been on the frontlines in my orange and red shirts as the leadership of our statewide campaign for common sense gun legislation. I’ve made so many incredible relationships with folks who have inspired me to take up fights even when it’s not easy, and rarely is it in the Florida Panhandle.
I’ve had some bumps in the road and some truly trying times. Within the span of a year, I lost my husband to ALS, and my son to a brain tumor. The weight of my loss still hits me every day. My husband Brian was always so supportive of my advocacy efforts with Moms Demand Action. And my son Eli told everyone I was going to save the world. Sitting in front of the calming ocean that I’m lucky to live next to, I’m reminded of why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Florida’s beautiful environment is so often cast aside by our lawmakers, in favor of headlines that make it into the news. Our waterways, wildlife, greenery, and beaches are why we live where people vacation. Taking steps to protect it is critical. I’ve always been an animal lover, and I live with my adorable dog Daisy.
I worked as an athletic trainer for predominantly black schools. When my kids weren’t playing sports, I lived in constant fear from the stories they would tell me about gun violence in their neighborhoods. I witnessed instances of gun violence in high school and experienced it in my own home as well. Sandy Hook was 6 months after my son was born, and joining Moms Demand Action gave me the tools I needed to put my feelings into action to make change. I will be a voice for gun violence solutions in Congress.
Which brings us, of course, to Matt Gaetz. Our representative is constantly in the headlines for one temper fit or another, and our district suffers as a result. I can’t stand his arrogance and the way he thinks he’s better than everyone. I hope by running against him, I can unseat him, but I also want to be an example to all the moms out there that they can stand up to create change in their communities. In the last few years, we’ve had candidates make headlines by running against Gaetz, but none of them have truly invested in building grassroots, local campaigns in the panhandle. As an organizer, I think I’m uniquely qualified to try.
I had a video put together that I think sums up nicely why I’m running.
All my social media is the same, @Gayforcongress. I’m starting to make tiktoks, so make sure to follow me there!
Using the hashtag #SayGay is a neat combo, because while it is my name, I’ve also always been a staunch ally and supporter of the LGBTQ community. Gaetz and others’ attacks on them are despicable.
I know it’s ambitious, but I’m trying to raise $100,000 in grassroots dollars in the first month of my campaign. It’s only day 3 and we are making good progress, but I’d love it if you could help me out. Here’s the link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/q4keylime
I’m going to work as hard as I can, because I need to put good out into this world. And I’m so grateful for all the Moms Demand Action family that has rallied around me to make my launch a success. I’ll do my best to keep you all updated over the next year.
With gratitude,
Gay Valimont
