Former Orlando police Chief Val Demings plans to run against incumbent Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, she said this morning.
“I can’t count the number of people who have asked me to get into this race,” Demings told the Orlando Sentinel, citing one of the main reason she’s jumping in the race.
The Democrat, who lost a tight congressional race in 2012, said she planned to file paperwork to open her account later today, and would hold a kick-off event with supporters Thursday at 3 p.m on Lake Eola.
Demings said there are a number of people, including herself, who feel that Jacobs did not deliver on past promises to run an ethical government that was open and accessible to the public.
“It’s about giving people an opportunity to participate,” Demings said . “It’s not about representing the privileged few. It’s about representing everyone who lives and works in Orange County,” Demings said.
Jacobs, arguably the most popular politician in Central Florida, disagreed that she hasn’t run an open and ethical county government so far. And Jacobs said she looked forward to talking about what she’s done since taking office.
“It means the we’ll have a chance to have a thorough discussion of the issues facing Orange County,” Jacobs said.
If Demings follows through and qualifies in June, the race could be a bruising and costly fight that garners national attention.
Demings to take on Jacobs in 2014 Orange mayor race – Orlando Sentinel.
