As chatter builds that he’s strongly weighing a run for governor, Jerry Demings has distributed invitations to a slate of local activists, officials and Democrats for an “announcement rally” next week.
In recent weeks, numerous local Democrats have told the Orlando Sentinel that Demings, the sitting mayor of Orange County, one of the state’s last Democratic strongholds, was likely to enter the race. And several received invitations this week to the rally next week, which conspicuously doesn’t say what Demings would be announcing.
The invitation is marked by a logo with a blue background, with Demings’ name printed in white with red accents.
“Please join us for this special occasion as we share an important announcement and outline for the future,” it reads. “Your presence and support will make this moment even more meaningful.”
If Demings jumps in the race, he’d be running against former congressman David Jolly in the primary, a former Republican who switched parties. Of course, more candidates could enter the fray in the coming months.
Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is expected to be a frontrunner for the GOP nomination, though Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins has teased a run for months, and First Lady Casey DeSantis has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
A poll by the University of Florida this week queried voters on Demings’ chances in head-to-head matchups with Donalds and DeSantis. It found him trailing Donalds by 12 points and DeSantis by 11 points – comparable results to Jolly.
Politico first reported the invitation to Demings’ announcement, which is at 5 p.m. at Rosen Centre on International Drive Nov. 6.