Congresswoman Valdez B. Demings was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James and Elouise Butler.

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The first in her family to graduate college, she worked as a social worker, then joined the Orlando Police Department. After a 27-year career she was selected to serve as Chief for the Orlando Police Department–the first woman to hold that position. During her tenure as Chief, Demings reduced violent crime by 40% and founded new community engagement programs including “Operation Positive Direction,” a youth mentoring program.

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In 2016 she won election to Congress in Florida’s 10th District, and today serves on the House Intelligence, Judiciary, and Homeland Security Committees. In addition, Rep. Demings is a House Regional and Assistant Whip, Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Co-Chair of Candidate Recruitment for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and served on the Elections Security Taskforce.

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