Jerry Demings, Buddy Dyer endorse Johanna López in Orange County Commission race

Outgoing Rep. Johanna López has picked up two major endorsements from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in her bid for Orange County Commission.

López said she was deeply honored to land their endorsements.

“The support of the region’s two principal executive leaders represents an important validation of Representative Johanna López’s record,” her campaign said in a press release. “As a former School Board member and current State Representative, Representative Johanna López has earned a reputation for collaborative, results-oriented leadership focused on concrete solutions for the community.”

Her only opponent for Orange County Commission’s District 4 is telecommunications professional Brian Jones. The district covers the eastern part of Orange County, including the Union Park, Rio Pinar and Alafaya neighborhoods.

Demings, who is term-limited and running for Governor as a Democrat, praised López’s track record for affordable housing and supporting both business and sustainability.

“I’m proud to endorse Representative Johanna López,” Demings said in a statement. “She is a passionate leader who knows how to get things done.”

Added Dyer, “From the School Board to the Florida House, Representative Johanna López has shown she understands how local government should work for the people, not around them. She has the courage to tackle tough challenges while keeping the community engaged, and District 4 would be well-served by her leadership.”

Dyer, Orlando’s longest-serving Mayor, is not seeking re-election in 2027.

Meanwhile Samuel Vilchez Santiago, Orange County Democratic Party Chair who is on leave to run for López’s House District 43 seat, also recently announced a slew of endorsements.

The latest list of his supporters are: Orange County Commissioners Kelly Martinez Semrad, Nicole Wilson and Mike Scott; Orlando City Commissioners Tom Keen and Shan Rose; Orange County School Board members Angie Gallo, Maria Salamanca, Stephanie Vanos, Anne Douglas, Vicki-Elaine Felder and Melissa Byrd; former Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla; Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer; and Orange County Soil and Water Supervisors Jim Moyer and Mathew Grocholske.

López, Demings, Dyer, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost and state Rep. Anna Eskamani have already backed Vilchez Santiago’s campaign.