Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings runs for Florida governor

Jerry Demings files to enter 2026 Fla. Governor's race

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has filed his paperwork intending to enter the 2026 Florida Governor's race. As it stands, he will enter the Democratic primary against former Congressman David Jolly in the Democratic Primary. On the Republican side, Trump-endorsed Florida Congressman Byron Donalds and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner vie for the party's nomination.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is now a candidate for Florida governor. 

Demings filed on Oct. 31, according to the Florida Department of State's Candidate Listing list, after news of his "announcement rally," which takes place this week at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, according to a flyer obtained by FOX 35 and other media outlets.

What we know:

Peter Schorsch, Publisher of Florida Politics, reported in September that Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings intends on entering the Florida 2026 Governor's race and could announce his candidacy by the end of September.

The Florida Department of State's website shows nearly 30 people formally filed for the 2026 governor's race. 

Jerry Demings expected to join Florida Governor's race

Florida Politics is reporting Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings intends on entering the Florida 2026 Governor's race and could announce his candidacy by the end of September. Peter Schorsch, Publisher of Florida Politics, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to discuss his reporting on Demings' potential candidacy, what a Demings for Governor campaign could look like and the potential for a historic general election if Demings and Trump-endorsed Republican Congressman Byron Donalds win their respective primaries.

Who is Jerry Demings?

Jerry Demings was elected Orange County Mayor in 2018, and, re-elected in 2022. He is the first African American to serve as Orange County Mayor, according to his online bio.

In 1998, he served as chief of the Orlando Police Department. In 2008, he was elected Orange County Sheriff, and re-elected twice, in 2012 and 2016.

He is married to Val Demings, who became the first woman to lead the Orlando Police Department and served in the U.S. House of Representatives, D-Dist. 10, from 2017-2023.

Who has filed to run for Florida governor?

Here is a list of the names of people who have filed to run for governor. Florida is a closed primary state.

• Andros, William Todd (REP)
• Antonio, Faith E. (DEM)
• Bedi, Surindar Singh (NPA)
• Brown, James Michael (IND)
• Cruel, Shea  (REP)
• Dembinsky, Richard Paul (DEM)
• Demings, Jerry (DEM)
• Dimanche, Moliere  (NPA)
• Donalds, Byron  (REP)
• Evans Sr, Insley Darris Corri (NPA)
• Foster, Dayna Marie (DEM)
• Gibson, Kyle Chaderwick (NPA)
• Gillespie, Neil J (NPA)
• Glover, Rodney Christopher (WRI)
• Holcomb, Jim  (REP)
• Hylton, Mourice "Mo" (NPA)
• Imperato, Daniel J. (REP)
• Jewett, Scott  (LPF)
• Jolly, David  (DEM)
• Klink, Andrea Lynn (IND)
• McIntyre, Brandon L. (CPF)
• Mercadante, John Joseph (REP)
• Peterson, Donald J. (DEM)
• Powell, Christopher Tavarus (WRI)
• Renner, Paul  (REP)
• Slater, Bill  (DEM)
• Strachan, Reginald Byron (IND)
• Succe, Caneste  (REP)
• Williams Jr, Robert Edward "Bobby" (REP)

When does Gov. Ron DeSantis' term end?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was elected governor in 2018, and won his re-election in 2022. His term ends in 2026 due to term limits, which is why the governor's race is wide open.

DeSantis' official term will end in early 2027.

When is the 2026 general election?

Here are some important election dates to know ahead of the 2026 general election, which will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.

Primary Election

• Deadline to register: July 20, 2026
• Deadline to request ballot by mail: Aug. 6, 2026
• Early voting: Aug. 8–16, 2026
• Election Day: Aug. 18, 2026

General election

• Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 5, 2026
• Deadline to request ballot by mail: Oct. 22, 2026
• Early voting: Oct. 24–31, 2026
• Election Day: Nov. 3, 2026