Jerry Demings trails David Jolly in fundraising out of the gate

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ fundraising is lagging behind U.S. Rep. David Jolly’s in the race for the Democratic Primary for Governor.

Demings raised about $225,000 in addition to $104,000 from his political committee Moving Florida Forward, campaign finance reports show.

The latest campaign fundraising report covers the fourth quarter of 2025.

In comparison to Demings’ $330,000, Jolly brought in more than $1 million in the final three months of 2025.

Jolly raised about $649,000 in addition to his political committee Florida 2026 collecting about $412,000, records showed. 

Demings officially jumped into the race Nov. 6, a timing he acknowledged as a handicap during the start of the holiday season.

“Despite those challenges, we raised a respectable $330,000. I look forward to expanding our fundraising and support during the first quarter of the year and thereafter,” Demings said in a statement, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Demings said he was “excited about the momentum we’ve achieved.”

Whoever wins the Democratic nod faces a long fight against the better-funded Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is leading Republicans in polls, raised $13.1 million raised during the fourth quarter of the year between his campaign account and the Friends of Byron Donalds political committee. Donalds amassed a war chest of more than $45 million in 2025.

Demings, the former Orange County Sheriff and Orlando City Police Chief, has led Orange County government since he won election in 2018. 

“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history. The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” Demings said during his campaign launch in November in Orlando. “We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership. It’s a vote for change. It’s a vote for democracy.”