Jerry Demings, the Democratic mayor and former sheriff of Orange County, Florida, has officially filed paperwork to run for Florida governor in 2026. His candidacy would add a prominent name to the competitive gubernatorial race as Republicans prepare to replace term-limited Ron DeSantis.
Recent polls have made his task even more urgent. Last week’s article highlighted data showing Democrats once again on the defensive as Republicans built early 10-point leads in multiple Florida matchups. For example, one survey of likely voters found that in a hypothetical head-to-head race, the Republican candidate would beat Democrat Jerry Demings by 11 to 13 points. These numbers suggest that even strong candidates entering the field will face structural headwinds.
Demings served as Orange County’s sheriff until becoming county commissioner in 2018, and previously served as Orlando Police Chief. As mayor, he oversaw an area experiencing a tourism boom, but also enjoyed the comforts of a select few dark blue counties left behind by Democrats.
His tenure as county mayor was not without controversy. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, Demings instituted far stricter policies for Orange County than most other counties in the state. Per the county’s order, the 11 p.m. curfew was set from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Regarding its status as a sanctuary city for immigrants, Demings initially resisted demands from the state and federal governments to comply with immigration enforcement measures, but ultimately relented after a heated public spat with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Demings will need to rely on his credentials as a law enforcement leader to win over moderate voters who don’t like Orange County’s policies. Mr. Demings also must address public perception that Florida is moving away from Democratic candidates in statewide elections. Analysts note that Florida hasn’t elected a Democratic governor since the late 1990s, and the 2026 race is expected to draw a lot of attention.
The Demings campaign does not stand alone. His wife, Val Demings, was a Democratic candidate for the Florida Senate in 2022, but lost in an embarrassing landslide to then-incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio. The results highlight the challenges facing Democrats in Florida’s statewide elections and provide context for Jerry Demings’ campaign. His wife’s previous campaign experience would provide insight into the complexities of organizing at the statewide level, but as Val discovered, campaign infrastructure does not guarantee success at the polls.
