Orange County Mayor Demings Brings in New Campaign Manager for Florida Governor Run

Jerry Demings, the first Black Democrat to run for Florida governor since 2018, shakes up his campaign with a new political strategist from New York.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:55am

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Jerry Demings, the mayor of Orange County, Florida and a former sheriff, has brought on a new campaign manager, Josh Silverstein, to lead his bid for the Democratic nomination for Florida governor. Silverstein previously worked on campaigns in New York and Rhode Island, and says the Demings campaign will work to raise enough funds to 'get our message out there' on key issues like affordability and inflation that are motivating voters.

Why it matters

Demings is the first Black Democrat to run for Florida governor since Andrew Gillum's failed bid in 2018, though Demings is positioning himself as a more moderate candidate. The new campaign manager and strategy shake-up come as Demings looks to gain traction in a race against a well-funded Republican field.

The details

Silverstein acknowledged that Republicans are better funded in Florida, but said the campaign would work to build a 'professional fundraising apparatus, professional political apparatus and professional communications apparatus' in the coming months. While he stopped short of guaranteeing they would outraise Republicans, Silverstein pointed to recent special legislative election victories for Democrats in Florida due to support from independents and Republican defectors. The campaign's focus will be on issues like affordability and the cost of living that are motivating voters.

  • Demings, the mayor of Orange County, Florida, launched his campaign for governor in early 2026.
  • Silverstein joined the Demings campaign in April 2026, after previously working on campaigns in New York and Rhode Island.

The players

Jerry Demings

The mayor of Orange County, Florida and a former sheriff, Demings is the first Black Democrat to run for Florida governor since Andrew Gillum's failed bid in 2018. Demings is positioning himself as a more moderate candidate.

Josh Silverstein

The new campaign manager for Jerry Demings' gubernatorial campaign, Silverstein previously worked on campaigns in New York and Rhode Island, including as political director, deputy campaign manager, and policy director for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2022 reelection effort.

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What they’re saying

“Prices are too high. There's an affordability crisis in Florida. Jerry's position of being a very reasonable yet steadfast Democrat will allow folks to have an alternative in this race.”

— Josh Silverstein, Campaign Manager, Jerry Demings for Governor

“We will work tirelessly to get our message out and will announce additional new hires in the coming weeks.”

— Josh Silverstein, Campaign Manager, Jerry Demings for Governor

What’s next

The Demings campaign plans to announce additional new hires in the coming weeks as it works to build out its fundraising, political, and communications operations ahead of the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election.

The takeaway

Demings' decision to bring in a new campaign manager from New York signals a strategic shift as he looks to gain traction in the Florida governor's race as the first Black Democrat to run since 2018. The campaign's focus on affordability and the cost of living reflects key issues motivating voters, but Demings will need to overcome a well-funded Republican field to have a path to victory.