Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is promoting his new book on leadership, dropping hints he’s ready to run for governor and facing fire from Republicans hoping to derail him before he even hits the campaign trail.

Demings, 66, hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, but more than half a dozen Democratic sources say he is seriously considering a bid. Some think an announcement could come soon.

The lifelong Democrat with strong law enforcement credentials would be a formidable candidate if he enters the fray, said Samuel Vilchez Santiago, chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party.

“There will be a lot of excitement if he decides to run for governor,” he said.

Demings, a former sheriff and police chief, would provide a traditional, establishment option in next year’s Aug. 18 Democratic primary, facing off against Republican-turned-Democrat former U.S. Rep. David Jolly. Though an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, Jolly only became a Democrat in April.

Demings’ longtime backers say he has what it takes to lead the state after more than four decades of public service in Central Florida. Winning the governor’s mansion, though, will be a tough task for any Democrat given Florida’s rightward shift during term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis’ tenure.

“A lot of politicians will put together a task force and sweep the issue under the rug,” said Dick Batchelor, a former Democratic state representative who has been listed as one of the most powerful people in Orlando. “Jerry has shown true leadership in getting public policy changed. He is truly a leader, but he is also someone who implements.”

Batchelor said he’s been impressed by Demings’ work on affordable housing, the opioid epidemic and other pressing issues for Floridians.

Republicans, though, say Demings would be easily defeated, noting his wife, former U.S. Rep. Val Demings, lost her bid for U.S. Senate by 16 points in 2022. Florida has moved from a reliably red state to a “GOP fortress,” said Evan Power, chairman of the Florida GOP.

“This is the sequel nobody asked for,” Power said. “He’s weak, out of touch, and desperate to keep the Demings name in the headlines.”

But Demings, the son of a taxi driver and a maid, has a record of defying the odds. He made history three times, becoming Orlando’s first Black police chief in 1998, the first Black Orange County sheriff in 2008 and the first Black Orange County mayor in 2018. He is hinting at even greater ambitions.

Last month, Demings launched a book titled, “Believe: Faith, Truth and the Courage to Lead,” which chronicles his response as sheriff to the Pulse mass shooting and his leadership as county mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asked by reporters if he’ll enter the governor’s race, Demings said Monday, “I’m not saying I’m not going to run. Given all these things that have been happening? I might just do that.”

“I’m being encouraged by a number of different constituencies, so I’ll leave it at that,” he added during a break in a county commission meeting Tuesday.

Jolly, 52, said Demings has had a “remarkable” career, but he hopes the county mayor doesn’t enter the race for governor. A hotly contested primary could leave the Democrats with a divided party and a wounded nominee with no money, he said.

“Our job as Democrats should be to unify and make our case against the Republican candidate, not each other,” said Jolly, who is known for his political commentary on MSNBC. “I worry a Demings candidacy empowers Republicans and doesn’t empower Democrats.”

If Demings wins the Democratic nomination, he could be part of a history-making matchup against Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and is currently viewed as the favorite in the GOP primary.

That contest would mark the first time in U.S. history that Black candidates representing the two major parties have faced off in a gubernatorial election. The winner would be Florida’s first Black governor and only the fourth elected Black governor in U.S. history.

Former GOP Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is also running, and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, another Republican, is seen as likely to jump into the race. State Sen. Jason Pizzo, who left the Democratic Party, has said he plans to run as an independent.

Political analysts and supporters say Demings has many political strengths that could make him the favorite in the Democratic primary. He’s forged strong relationships and built significant name recognition in one of the bluest parts of the state. One of his longtime supporters is prominent billionaire attorney John Morgan, who could offer significant financial backing.

In an email, Morgan said he thinks Demings would face an “uphill battle” to make it to governor’s mansion, but he would be willing to contribute.

“As a longtime friend and admirer, I would donate just to thank he and Val for their service to Central Florida,” he said. “Friends don’t desert friends even if the climb is steep. You will never find a better man than Jerry.”

Another strength is Demings’ inspirational story, which could elevate Black voter turnout, said Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political scientist.

“I think that Jerry Demings would certainly be one of the best quality candidates that Democrats in Florida could put up,” he said. “He’s got an excellent track record of service; he’s held elective office in a large county here in Florida, and you know, before that, of course, he had a very successful career in law enforcement.”

Demings has clashed with DeSantis over his approach to the pandemic and his nationally watched political battle with The Walt Disney Co. 

More recently, he has been fighting against DeSantis’ government efficiency efforts and immigration policies. 

Last month, he engaged in a war of words with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier over whether county corrections officers should be enlisted to transport immigrant detainees to federal detention centers.

“We support lawful immigration,” Demings said in July in response to Uthmeier’s criticism that he wasn’t doing enough to support the state’s mission. “In this particular case, I find it somewhat ironic that the 37-year-old attorney general is attacking me. … I spent more years on the streets of Florida, patrolling our streets as a law enforcement officer than he’s been alive.”

Ultimately, Demings backed down and signed the transport agreement, saying he feared local officials could be suspended from office if the county didn’t collaborate. Progressives and activists say he should have fought harder.

Two leading and influential leaders of the progressive wing of the Florida Democratic Party — state Reps. Anna Eskamani of Orlando and Angie Nixon of Jacksonville — aren’t backing a Demings campaign yet. Both say they look forward to hearing from nominees and haven’t decided who they will support for governor.

Nixon, a liberal member of the Florida Legislature, said she hasn’t ruled out running for higher office herself. Eskamani is running for Orlando mayor in 2027.

In his book, Demings explained the role faith has played in his life and how he’s approached his career in public service.

“Leadership is not just a job,” he wrote. “It is a divine calling. And when God calls you to it, the journey may not be easy but it will be ordained. One of the greatest truths I’ve come to embrace is this: the assignment isn’t about you. It’s about what God wants to do through you.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/21/orange-county-mayor-jerry-demings-eyes-bid-for-governor/