Orange County mayor and recent Florida gubernatorial hopeful Jerry Demings announced Friday he is suspending his run after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
“Monday of this week I received some bad news,” he said. “I have prostate cancer, and because of that, I am going to suspend my campaign for governor.”
The announcement came during his eighth and final “State of the County” address Friday. Although it’s a private matter, he said, he felt the need to make the news public given his role in the community.
He said he intends to finish out his term as county mayor. The 66-year-old Democrat said that in order to receive the treatment he needs, however, he will come off the gubernatorial campaign trail.
“I have to let something go. I can’t continue to do my job as mayor, take care of my family, and run for governor.”
He said that he does not have a history of prostate cancer in his family and he is in good health otherwise.
“I’m going to focus on my health. I’m going to focus on living. I’m not going to focus on running for another office,” Demings said.
He thanked those who have supported him throughout his career.
“What I say to all of you is, ‘pray for me,’” Demings said at the end of his address.
“Pray for America. America has got some challenges.”
Demings has been Orange County mayor since 2018 and before that had a long career in law enforcement, including acting as an Orange County sheriff. Demings was Orlando Police Department’s first African American police chief and Orange County’s first African American sheriff and, later, first African American mayor.
Former Congressman David Jolly released the following statement:
“Jerry has dedicated his life to public service, fighting with passion, mettle, and faith. I know he’ll bring that same spirit to this new chapter. Laura and I wish him a full recovery as we personally pray for Jerry and his family.”
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