Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
20.2%
27.7%
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
$20.7K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderMale
LocationFlorida
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BackgroundPublic official
EducationJones High School (Orlando, Florida)
Notable personal detailsJerry L. Demings is an American public official and former law-enforcement leader who has served as Mayor of Orange County, Florida since December 4, 2018. He previously served as Orlando’s first African American police chief and later as Orange County sheriff. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University and an MBA from Orlando College, and also completed FBI executive training programs and studied at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
SourcesShowHide
orangecountyfl.netjerrydemingsforgovernor.orgcfxway.comoccc.neten.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgorangeobserver.comapnews.comawpc.cattcenter.iastate.edutwitter.commynews13.comcbsnews.comvanityfair.comwesh.comoccompt.comarxiv.orgoccompt.legistar.comclickorlando.comwflx.comfox4now.comwptv.comorlandosentinel.comyahoo.comcfpublic.orgnewsroom.ocfl.netwftv.compolitico.comflvoicenews.comfloridasunreview.comorlando.govwusf.orgfloridaphoenix.comadventhealth.comaxios.commiamiherald.comwashingtonpost.comseattletimes.comfoxnews.comtranscripts.cnn.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcongress.govgovinfo.govfrost.house.govhsgac.senate.govdemocrats-homeland.house.goviqconnect.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports using government revenue and targeted tax policies to fund public investments like affordable housing, infrastructure, and veteran hiring incentives while opposing proposals to eliminate property taxes; has advocated for a local 1-cent sales surtax for transportation and proposes state tax credits to encourage veteran employment.
Healthcare
The candidate supports expanding Medicaid to provide affordable coverage for Floridians and plans to hold insurance companies accountable to lower premiums and strengthen hospitals and clinics.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes lawful immigration while resisting expanded local enforcement responsibilities for federal immigration actions and has criticized state pressure to adopt broader ICE transport/enforcement measures; he ultimately signed a modified 287(g) addendum under protest citing legal pressure and concerns about staffing and cost reimbursement. His statements indicate support for immigration law enforcement as a federal responsibility and concern for humanitarian/operational impacts at the local level.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanding renewable energy (including solar) and energy storage, modernizing building codes for efficiency, and investments to lower utility costs. Proposes protections for water resources, upgrades to wastewater systems, increased wetlands preservation, and a permanent ban on offshore drilling. Emphasizes clean, affordable in-state energy production and holding polluters accountable to reduce harmful runoff and algal blooms.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun “guardrails,” including universal background checks and limits on open carry, and has pursued local efforts to reduce gun violence such as creating a community safety task force and funding youth violence-prevention programs.
Polls
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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