Congresswoman Val Butler Demings
Congresswoman Val Demings represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She received a B.S. in Criminology and M.P.A. from Florida State University. Demings holds an honorary doctorate of laws from Bethune-Cookman University, and honorary doctorates from Florida Technical College and City College Fort Lauderdale.
Demings began her career in Jacksonville as a social worker, working to protect foster children. Then, in the early 1980s, Rep. Demings moved to Orlando to join the police force. During her distinguished 27-year career with the Orlando Police Department (OPD), she served in virtually every department.
In 2007, Val Demings made history when she was appointed to serve as Orlando’s first female Chief of Police. Through the work of Chief Demings and her dedicated officers, OPD reduced violent crime by more than 40 percent.
Rep. Demings sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Besides serving as a Subcommittee Vice-Chair, Congresswoman Demings’ leadership positions include serving as Assistant and Regional Whip for the House Democratic Caucus, Co-Chair of Candidate Recruitment for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.