Orange County mayor enters Florida governor race | JQJO

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings filed to run for Florida governor as a Democrat, expanding the field to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Demings, a former sheriff and Orlando police chief who has led the county since 2018, opened a campaign account Friday and is expected to announce Thursday after chatter about his candidacy. His bid sets up a primary with David Jolly, while Republican Byron Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump, is the leading GOP contender. The GOP dismissed Demings’s campaign as "destined to flop." He has sparred with DeSantis over coronavirus response and a 287(g) dispute.