TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Environmental advocates, community leaders, and concerned Floridians are preparing to rally at the Florida State Capitol on Monday, November 17, urging Governor Ron DeSantis to stop the state’s proposed black bear hunt, the first in nearly a decade.

The demonstration, organized by Sierra Club Florida, seeks to protect Florida’s recovering black bear population and raise public awareness about the ecological importance of these native animals. Supporters say the hunt could reverse years of conservation progress and threaten an already vulnerable species.

To encourage participation from across the state, Sierra Club Florida is providing three free round-trip charter buses from key regions, giving residents a chance to unite their voices in defense of Florida’s wildlife.

The “Rally to Stop the Florida Black Bear Hunt” will feature remarks from environmental advocates and coalition leaders, including:

• Susannah Randolph, Sierra Club Florida

• Katrina Shadix, Bear Warriors United

• Adam Sugalski, Bear Defenders

• James Scott, Speak Up for Wildlife

• Bobbie Lee Davenport, Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida (ECO SWF)

• Patti Whitehead, Responsible Growth Management Coalition

WHEN: Monday, November 17 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
WHERE: Florida State Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399

Organizers are calling on Floridians to join the rally, stand in solidarity, and urge state leadership to prioritize science-based wildlife management and the protection of Florida’s black bears for future generations.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Before a packed ballroom of cheering supporters at the Rosen Centre on Orlando’s International Drive Thursday evening, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings officially launched his campaign for Governor of Florida in 2026, declaring that it’s time to “turn the page” on division and usher in a “new style of leadership.”

The 66-year-old former Orlando Police Chief and Orange County Sheriff — now serving his second term as mayor — delivered a powerful, hopeful message reminiscent of President Barack Obama’s campaign themes of unity and renewal, rallying voters with the promise that “the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

A Message of Unity and Renewal

“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history,” Demings told the energized crowd. “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.”

The crowd erupted as Demings leaned into his record of public service and crisis management, drawing a sharp contrast with political partisanship in Tallahassee. He pledged to restore local control, raise wages, stabilize housing costs, and improve access to mental health care through public-private partnerships.

“They call me woke,” Demings said, pausing as the audience laughed. “I don’t know what they mean — but after four and a half decades of public service, they woke me up.”

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings, tells a standing-room-only crowd, “Help is on the way,” during her husband’s campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News

Val Demings: ‘Help Is on the Way’

Demings’ wife, former Congresswoman Val Demings, introduced him to thunderous applause. “Through all of the darkness,” she told the audience, “help is on the way.”

Her remarks framed her husband’s candidacy as a call to hope and action, positioning him as a pragmatic problem-solver rooted in Florida values.

Demings, who has long clashed with Governor Ron DeSantis over COVID-19 restrictions, immigration, and state control of local budgets, promised to bring people together across party lines. “My goal is to engage the private sector in working with the public sector to solve the issues that affect us all,” he said.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings held a press conference to answer questions from the media following his historic campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News

A Campaign to Make History

If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first Black governor — a milestone both Republicans and Democrats acknowledge as a turning point in the state’s history.

He faces a crowded field, but his reputation as a steady crisis manager — having led Central Florida through mass shootings, hurricanes, and the pandemic — has made him a formidable contender.

Asked to contrast himself with likely Republican opponent Rep. Byron Donalds, Demings didn’t hesitate: “He’s never been a crisis manager or leader. I’ve led through storms, tragedies, and rebuilding — not from the sidelines, but in the arena.”

‘A New Sheriff in Town’

Demings’ closing line drew roaring applause: “If you vote for me, it’s a vote for the right person at the right time,” he said. Then, echoing a phrase once used by DeSantis himself, Demings smiled and declared, “It’s time for a new sheriff in town.”

With a listening tour planned across the state, Demings aims to build a grassroots movement that transcends party lines — one he hopes will awaken Florida’s independent voters and redefine what leadership looks like in the Sunshine State.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN) – The David Jolly for Governor campaign has extended a warm welcome to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who officially entered the 2026 Democratic primary for Florida Governor. The campaign emphasized the importance of a respectful and substantive primary race that strengthens the Democratic Party and enhances its chances in the general election.

“I welcome Mayor Demings to this important race,” said former U.S. Representative David Jolly, Democratic candidate for Governor. “All of Florida—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—deserves a spirited Democratic Party primary that puts voters first, one rooted in real solutions for the affordability of housing and healthcare, the future of public education, protecting personal freedoms, and restoring trust and competence in government.”

Jolly’s remarks signal a collaborative tone within the Democratic field, focusing on unity and shared goals amid growing anticipation for a competitive 2026 gubernatorial race.

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J Wilie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com