Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
1dHigh ImpactDemings has exited the Democratic primary after a prostate cancer diagnosis, which should materially reprice the nominee market by removing a major contender.
4%7%
High Impact1d
Jerry Demings
7%4%
Demings has exited the Democratic primary after a prostate cancer diagnosis, which should materially reprice the nominee market by removing a major contender.
Democrat
Jerry Demings
Democrat
Jerry Demings
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
$20.2K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Latest Insights
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
21hDemings suspended his campaign, leaving David Jolly as the dominant remaining Democrat and likely tightening the market around the nominee outcome.
1%
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
13dDemings’ nominee odds fell sharply intraday to 8.8%, and fresh Florida reporting shows David Jolly still dominating the Democratic field discussion, which reinforces the market’s repricing and makes Demings a weaker current contender to hold.
9%11%
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderMale
LocationFlorida
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationJones High School (Orlando, Florida)
Notable personal detailsJerry L. Demings is an American law-enforcement official and politician who has served as the elected Mayor of Orange County, Florida since December 4, 2018, and was reelected in 2022. He previously served as Orange County Sheriff (first elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012 and 2016) and earlier became Orlando’s first African-American police chief in 1998. He has also worked as Orange County’s Director of Public Safety and has been active in statewide law-enforcement leadership, including serving as president of the Florida Sheriffs’ Association.
SourcesShowHide
orangecountyfl.netoccc.neten.wikipedia.orgapnews.comnewsroom.ocfl.netorangeobserver.comwikidata.orgawpc.cattcenter.iastate.eduvote-usa.orgclickorlando.comoccompt.comoccupyorangecounty.comwesh.comoccompt.legistar.comgovinfo.govjerrydemingsforgovernor.orgwflx.comfox4now.comwptv.comorlandosentinel.comyahoo.comcfpublic.orgwftv.compolitico.comflvoicenews.comfloridasunreview.comorlando.govwusf.orgfloridaphoenix.comadventhealth.comcbsnews.comwashingtonpost.comlinkedin.comstatic.votesmart.orgtranscripts.cnn.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgcongress.govhistory.house.goviqconnect.house.govfrost.house.govdemocrats-homeland.house.govhsgac.senate.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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 6, 2026
Jerry Demings has ended his campaign for Florida governor after saying he is being treated for prostate cancer. His exit leaves David Jolly as the leading Democrat in the race against likely Republican nominee Byron Donalds. Before dropping out, Demings was polling slightly behind Jolly, and both Democrats were still trailing Donalds by single digits.
orangecountyfl.net+46
Articles
NNewsweek1 day ago
Byron Donalds' Chances of Losing in Florida as Jerry Demings Exits Race
Neutral
TDTallahassee Democrat3 months ago
Demings and Jolly contrast styles in Florida governor race
Neutral
NDNaples Daily News2 months ago
Nearly 4 dozen candidates vie to replace Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Neutral
NNewsweek3 months ago
Democrats’ Chances of Defeating Republicans To Flip Florida: New Poll
Positive
Polls
Florida Democratic Governor nominee?
Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
20.2%
27.7%
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising