Meet Val Demings

Congresswoman Valdez B. Demings, the youngest of seven children, was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James and Elouise Butler.

The first in her family to graduate college, she worked as a social worker, then joined the Orlando Police Department. Over a 27-year career, Demings had many notable assignments, including Commander of the Airport Division during 9/11, Commander of Special Operations, member of the Crisis Negotiation Team, Commander of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and Executive Vice President of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police.

In 2007, Demings was selected to serve as Chief for the Orlando Police Department–the first woman to hold that position. Upon taking office, she launched an all-out war against crime. Her tenure was marked by a dramatic 40% reduction in violent crime, including robberies, shootings and murders. Chief Demings also served as Co- Chair of the Florida Gang Intervention Regional Task Force and Member of Florida Police Chiefs Legislative Team. In addition, Congresswoman Demings founded “Operation Positive Direction,” a youth mentoring program designed to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and youth in the community.

In 2016, Demings was elected to Congress in Florida’s 10th District.

Her committee assignments include the following: Committee on Homeland Security ( subcommittee- Transportation and Maritime Security) , House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (subcommittees- Defense Intelligence and Warfighter Support and Intelligence Modernization and Readiness), and the House Judiciary Committee (subcommittees- Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law and Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security).

Demings is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and New Democrat Coalition. In addition, Rep. Demings is a Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task , Recruitment Chair for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Member of the Election Security Task Force, and Member of the Congressional Badge of Bravery Review Board. In 2019, Demings, again, made history when she was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve as an Impeachment Manager, one of only 3 women to ever serve in that position.

Congresswoman Demings stays involved in her community through numerous organizations, including: Saint Mark A.M.E. Church; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Member of the Orlando Chapter of The Links; NAACP; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); as well as numerous other affiliations. Congresswoman Demings also enjoys riding her Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

Congresswoman Demings is married to Jerry Demings, who serves as the Orange County Mayor. The couple has 3 sons and 5 grandchildren.