Jerry Demings, perhaps you should reschedule tonight’s fundraiser

In politics, as with other things, timing is essential. And in Florida, facing the devastation of Hurricane Irma, now is not a time for politics.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings is the early frontrunner to replace Teresa Jacobs. But by not canceling a fundraiser at the Grand Hotel on Universal Boulevard in Orlando currently scheduled for Sept. 14 — three days after Irma hit — represents a genuine misstep.

The event is coming at a time when — as @GrayRohrer tweets — “Less than half of Orlando-area gas stations operating 3 days after Irma.”

Few people want to waste precious, limited gas to attend, just to risk getting stranded on the way home.

Less than half of Orlando-area gas stations operating 3 days after Irma https://t.co/U8CyT244HA

— Gray Rohrer (@GrayRohrer) September 14, 2017

When Orange is named one of 37 Florida counties approved for Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster aid, there is a time to put politics aside and focus on the task at hand — rescues and repairing the reported $66 million in damage across the county Demings wants to represent.

Again, Demings is a formidable candidate and would make history as Orange County’s first African-American mayor. But fundraising at a time when the community and state are devastated is a mistake.

Demings should take a raincheck on this one.