It’s official. And the West Orlando News called it Last March, more than 10 months ago.
Thank God for Val Demings….
The former Orlando Police Chief, Val Demings filed her paper work on Tuesday to run for Orange County Mayor, ending months of speculation as to whether she would challenge the incumbent and over-confident Teresa Jacobs. West Orlando News published the “hot rumor” that Demings was going to jump into the race, given staggering public disappointment with Jacobs, arising from broken promises, including her multiple ethical lapses. (Jacobs even topped the list of Top 10 Scrooges of 2013).
And who can blame Val?
“For months, I’ve been asked by countless citizens to run for Orange County Mayor,” Demings said in a press release. “They want a leader who will stand up for them.”
And we know Val will make a fabulous County Mayor. Beloved, trusted and always accessible, many in Orlando were heartbroken by her decision to pursue national office.
This announcement also puts an end to her taking on again, Tea Party darling, U.S. Rep. Dan Webster (R-Florida), whom many say she scared the living daylights out of back in 2012 with a 52-48 margin.
Although there are other candidates in the non-partisan Orange County mayoral race, Demings, a Democrat, offers a true and credible challenge to Jacobs, despite what the pro-Zimmerman, pro-Tea Party, pro-Romney Orlando Sentinel says.
And yes, this is going to be racial. Black residents of Orange County feel betrayed by the Jacobs Administration. A motivated Black electorate could put Ms. Demings over the top, along with the support of the already Jacobs-disillusioned Orange County democrat base.
Demings, who became the first woman to hold the position of Orlando police chief from 2007 to 2011, will officially kick off her campaign at Lake Eola on Thursday at 3 p.m.
This article has been updated.
