Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Launches Bid for Florida Governor

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has entered the 2026 Florida governor’s race, setting up a high-stakes contest in a state that has trended increasingly Republican under Governor Ron DeSantis.

According to state election filings, Demings, a Democrat and former county sheriff, submitted his candidacy papers on Friday. He joins a crowded field of hopefuls vying to succeed DeSantis, who is barred from seeking another term.

Demings, who governs the Orlando area – home to major tourism hubs such as Walt Disney World – brings name recognition and executive experience to the race. He also gained firsthand exposure to statewide campaigning during his wife Val Demings’ 2022 U.S. Senate bid against Republican incumbent Marco Rubio.

If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first African American governor. The last Black Democrat to reach the general election, Andrew Gillum, narrowly lost to DeSantis in 2018.

Orange County remains one of Florida’s few Democratic strongholds: Vice President Kamala Harris carried 56 percent of the county’s vote in 2024, even as Donald Trump won the state with a similar margin.

Demings faces competition from across the political spectrum. Notable contenders include former GOP congressman-turned-Democrat David Jolly, Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds – endorsed by Trump – and former Republican House Speaker Paul Renner.

In total, 29 candidates have filed to run, though most are viewed as longshots.

A spokesperson for Demings’ campaign declined to comment on Monday.