Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a kickoff campaign rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings greets supporters after announcing his candidacy for Florida governor at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings gets a hug from his spouse and former congresswoman Val Demings during his campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings listens to cheering supporters as he takes the stage to announce his candidacy for Florida governor, at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings greets supporters after announcing his candidacy for Florida governor at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings takes the stage to announce his candidacy for Florida governor at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings’ spouse and former congresswoman Val Demings introduces Demings during his campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings’ spouse and former congresswoman Val Demings greets supporters during his campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings’ son Antoine and Val Demings respond to cheering supporters during Jerry Demings’ campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a kickoff campaign rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings and his spouse and former congresswoman Val Demings depart after announcing his candidacy for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings holds a press conference after announcing his candidacy for Florida governor at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)