Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL) now appears to be one of the top contenders for vice president as Joe Biden narrows down his list. NBC recently reported that Demings “has formally begun interviewing with the Biden campaign for the vice-presidential nomination and the vetting process is underway.” Now the 63-year-old has used her words and experience during this past week to try to calm unrest and to call for a change in policing, an area she knows well. She was Orlando’s first female police chief and therefore has a unique platform to speak, not just as a police insider, but also as a black American. A few days ago she addressed this in an opinion piece in the Washington Post titled, “My fellow brothers and sisters in blue, what the hell are you doing?” She wrote, in part:

Everyone wants to live in safer communities and to support law enforcement and the tough job they do every day. But this can’t go on. The senseless deaths of America’s sons and daughters — particularly African American men — is a stain on our country. Let’s work to remove it. We have got to get this one right.

While Politico writes that “her department had a history of criticism for using excessive force,” the publication also points out that in the last week she has appeared on several news shows where her “unique biography has further elevated her profile.” She also appeared on late-night TV. 

And Demings may bring something to the table that some of the other women on Biden’s list can’t bring, key votes in a swing state. Recent polls show Biden and Donald Trump running neck and neck in Florida. Demings could help rally voters in her district, which includes Orlando. Her husband, Jerry Demings, could also help in this area. He’s the mayor of Orange County, Florida. Here’s some of what he told MSNBC’s Alex Witt about his wife’s name being thrown around as vice president:

I can say to you honestly and objectively that America will not be let down in she is the person who is selected to be on that ticket. she will bring together the opportunity to bridge gaps, she certainly understands the plight of the average individual and I’ve seen her just work across the spectrum. here in Florida, the people of Florida love her. the people here in central Florida love her and so I think that the — as she served as one of the impeachment managers just a few months ago, I believe that America saw this very bright individual that will certainly be able to bring that skill set, the heart of a mother, the heart of a law enforcement officer, the heart of a public servant to the table to be able to do the job that the American people would expect out of the vice president. 

In Vogue, writer Molly Jong-Fast writes, “Demings may be one of those once-in-a-lifetime politicians, a gifted orator, a woman who is completely self-made, a racial pioneer. America has a racism problem. Joe Biden has an enthusiasm problem. Someone like Val Demings could conceivably begin to heal both.”

Check out Rep. Demings’ interview with Meet the Press’ Chuck Todd above.

Today, we will also be profiling another candidate whose stock for VP is also on the rise, Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms.