Val Demings endorses Maxwell Frost as her successor as Election Day approaches

Congressional candidate Maxwell Frost was endorsed Friday by the person he hopes to succeed, U.S. Rep. Val Demings, as well as other top names in the Central Florida Democratic Party.

Demings, D-Orlando, was joined by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, in endorsing Frost, who at 25 would be the first Gen Z member of Congress if he wins Tuesday.

“I’m proud to support Maxwell Alejandro Frost for Congress because he’s going to continue to fight to end gun violence, take on our housing crisis, bring down rising costs, and continue to be the bold leader Central Florida needs in D.C.,” Rep. Demings said in a statement.

The endorsements came late but were expected for Frost, 25, who won a crowded Democratic primary in August against state Sen. Randolph Bracy, former U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson and Corrine Brown, and six other candidates.

“I’ve been chatting with all for them for several weeks and months for some of them now, and it just means a lot to have their support,” Frost said. “I know, especially from my primary campaign, how much endorsements like this can really help, even if it’s, ‘quote unquote,’ last minute. It helps give us momentum, and I don’t want to take anything for granted.”

It was especially important to get Rep. Demings’ full endorsement, he said.

“It’s just important for people to know that she’s excited about my campaign,” Frost said. “... So we wanted to just make sure we get it out, even if it’s this weekend.”

District 10, redrawn to include downtown Orlando and parts of eastern Orange County, is heavily Democratic.

Frost faces Republican Calvin Wimbish and independents Jason Holic and Usha Jain in the election.

Complete election coverage can be found at OrlandoSentinel.com/election.