Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, 66, has formally entered the 2026 race for governor of Florida, positioning himself as a seasoned Democratic contender with deep Central Florida roots. His campaign comes on the heels of mounting tension with the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, which alleged the county misused $190 million in taxpayer funds—claims Demings dismissed as “fuzzy math.” A longtime law enforcement leader and the first African American elected as Orange County mayor, Demings now faces former congressman David Jolly in a Democratic primary that could define the party’s direction heading into a wide-open race to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis.
After decades in uniform and years at the helm of Orange County, Jerry Demings is ready for his biggest political challenge yet — the governor’s mansion.
On Friday, Demings, the two-term mayor of Orange County, officially filed to run for governor of Florida, stepping into a crowded field that will determine who succeeds term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. He plans to make it official with a campaign rally in early November at Orlando’s Rosen Centre, signaling the start of what could be a historic statewide campaign.
His gubernatorial bid had been the subject of speculation for months. In September, Demings told Florida National News, “I’m not saying I’m not going to run. Given all these things that have been happening? I might just do that.”
A month later, speaking to WFTV, he added, “I’m very interested in it, and I made a decision, and I’ll make an announcement soon to the residents of Central Florida, as well as the residents of the state of Florida. I’m immensely humbled because people ask me to continue my public service.”
Recent criticism of Orange County may have played a role in Demings’ decision to step onto the statewide stage. In September, the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audit alleged that Orange County had mis-spent nearly $190 million in taxpayer funds and rejected aspects of the county’s Vision 2025 proposal. Demings pushed back forcefully, calling the audit “fuzzy math” and insisting the General Fund increased by $474 million, not $559 million as claimed.
“What I’m saying here is that the CFO ought to get his own house in order first, before he starts looking in someone else’s house,” Demings said, emphasizing that the county’s unique population growth and tourist demands justify the budgetary increases.
Demings, 66, made history as the first African American elected mayor of Orange County in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. He earned widespread recognition for his leadership in the region’s fast-growing, diverse population. Before his tenure as mayor, Demings spent nearly two decades in law enforcement leadership, serving as Orlando’s police chief from 1998 to 2002 and as Orange County Sheriff from 2009 to 2018.
The Demings name is no stranger to Florida politics. His wife, Val Demings, served in the US House of Representatives for Florida’s 10th Congressional District from 2017 to 2023, after breaking barriers as the first woman to lead the Orlando Police Department. She ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 against Republican Marco Rubio, ultimately coming up short.
Demings’ entry establishes a compelling Democratic primary matchup against former U.S. Rep. David Jolly. Jolly, who served in Congress from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican, switched parties in protest of former President Donald Trump and is now seeking the Democratic nomination. While he has earned endorsements from some Democrats, his party switch has drawn scrutiny, giving Demings the edge of being a lifelong Democratic leader with deep roots in Florida politics.
The broader 2026 governor’s race is also shaping into a sprawling contest, with more than 20 candidates officially filed.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leads most polls, with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and DeSantis’ lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, also weighing potential campaigns. Florida’s primary is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026, with the general election to follow on November 3rd, 2026.
This developing story will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
