Former U.S. Congresswoman and Orlando Police Chief Val Demings announced Friday that she will not run for Orange County Mayor in 2026, quelling months of speculation about a potential bid to succeed her husband, term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings.
Demings, who served three terms in Congress representing parts of west Orlando and Orange County, said her decision came “after much consideration,” despite “overwhelming encouragement and support” in recent weeks.
“Now that I have made my decision, I am excited to watch the field of candidates for this critical position take shape,” Demings said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. She also praised Mayor Jerry Demings for his “strong, courageous leadership,” adding, “we are a better, more unified community for it.”
The announcement sets the stage for a competitive race to lead Florida’s fifth-largest county, where the mayor serves as chief executive, emergency manager, and holds positions on key boards overseeing the Orlando International Airport, expressways, and public transit. The role comes with an annual salary of $247,938.
So far, the 2026 race includes Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, Commissioner Mayra Uribe, and tech entrepreneur Chris Messina, who previously ran against Mayor Demings in 2022.
Val Demings was one of seven potential candidates floated by local political observers, alongside former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy. Many viewed Demings as a top-tier contender given her extensive resume in law enforcement and national politics.
Demings, 67, made history as Orlando’s first female police chief and later as a House impeachment manager during President Donald Trump’s first Senate trial. She was also considered a finalist to be Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020 and ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Marco Rubio in 2022.
Most recently, in July 2024, President Biden nominated her to the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.
While she may be stepping back from the local mayoral spotlight, Demings’ influence in public service and politics is likely to remain strong in the years ahead.
