Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has opened a campaign account to run for governor in 2026, according to the state Division of Elections website. Demings is the second prominent Democrat to file paperwork for the race, joining former Congressman David Jolly.
The account, opened Friday, allows Demings to raise money for the campaign. Demings is expected to make an announcement about his plans Thursday at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, according to various media outlets. Demings, a former Orlando police chief and former Orange County sheriff, has been mayor since 2018. He is married to Val Demings, who served in the U.S. House from 2017 to 2023. She lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2022 to then-Sen. Marco Rubio, who is now U.S. Secretary of State.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and former state House Speaker Paul Renner are seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
Just another crackpot Democrat. His wife is an absolute nut in case anyone forgot.