Demings suspends race for governor after cancer diagnosis

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings on Friday said he is ending his campaign to be Florida’s next governor after being diagnosed with cancer.

“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.”

Demings, a Democrat who has been county mayor since 2018, made the somber announcement to reporters following his eighth and final “State of the County” address in which he highlighted the county’s successes.

“I intend to continue running through the finish line as the mayor of Orange County,” said Demings, 66, whose second mayoral term ends in December. “But in order for me to receive the treatment that I need, I’m going to have to come off the campaign trail.”

He said the cancer was caught early and is treatable.

Demings, who had a long career in law enforcement and is a former Orange County sheriff, was surrounded by family, including his wife and sons, when he made the announcement. He said it was a private matter but one he needed to make public given his “very visible public position.”

“I’m going to focus on my health,” he added.

He concluded his remarks, saying, “I’m not going to take any questions on this at this time. What I say to all of you is, pray for me.”

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings salutes the audience at the...

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings salutes the audience at the conclusion of his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for Florida governor because of a prostate cancer diagnosis. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gets a hug from Val Demings as he takes the stage for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for Florida governor because of a prostate cancer diagnosis. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings holds up the drum major baton and dons a marching band jacket presented to him by his alma mater, Jones High School, after he delivered his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings touts the NFL and the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town as he delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings touts the Orlando Magic’s new coach, Sean Sweeney, while delivering his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings touts the Orlando Magic going to the playoffs while delivering his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Val Demings takes the stage to introduce Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings remarks on the success of Orlando theme parks while delivering his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Mexico Lindo Folkloric Ballet Orlando performs at Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Saxophonist Emmanuel Grails performs at Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings touts the contributions of the University of Central Florida to NASA and the space program as he delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings remarks on the success of Central Florida tourism while delivering his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The Orange County Joint Honor Guard guard presents the colors at Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings holds the drum major baton and dons a marching band jacket presented to him by his alma mater, Jones High School, after he delivered his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for Florida governor because of a prostate cancer diagnosis. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Val Demings introduces Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings for his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Eagle Scout Alana Rodante leads the Pledge of Allegiance at Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ delivers final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Members of the Jones High School marching band perform during Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Walt Disney World’s “Voices of Liberty” perform at Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings poses with members of Mexico Lindo Folkloric Ballet Orlando, who performed at his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings was first elected as mayor in 2018 and is currently running for the Democratic nomination to be Florida’s next governor. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings delivers his final State of the County address, Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings announced after the speech that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for Florida governor because of a prostate cancer diagnosis. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

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Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, Demings’ opponent in the Democratic primary, said in a statement that Demings “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,” Jolly said. “Laura and I wish him a full recovery as we personally pray for Jerry and his family.”

Demings did not describe his prognosis or his expected treatment. But prostate cancer, a commonly diagnosed tumor in men, is highly curable if caught early, said Dr. Vipul Patel, medical director of the AdventHealth Global Robotics Institute and founder of the International Prostate Cancer Foundation.

“It’s actually very, very prevalent,” he said. “The key really is to find it early through screening with PSA, which is a blood test that some men do routinely.”

Prostate cancer that is treated early — generally by surgical removal of the tumor — may sideline a patient for a few weeks but often they can return to their normal routines very quickly, Patel said. More serious problems can develop if the cancer is detected late.

Most men should be screened yearly for prostate cancer starting at age 50.

“For African-American men, it’s a little different,” Patel said. “They should begin screening earlier — at age 40…The reason is African-American men tend to get prostate cancer earlier and often in a more aggressive state.”

Demings said he regularly goes to the doctor and was aware that he faced a higher risk because of his race.

“One in six men will get prostate cancer. With African American men, it’s even worse, one in four,” he said. “So I don’t have a history of it in my family, but because I have continued to go to the doctor, take all my various tests, I’ve gone through everything that they needed to do to verify what it is.”

Demings is a Central Florida trailblazer.

He was the first African American to serve as Orlando’s police chief in 1998 and served as the first African American Orange County Sheriff from 2008 to 2018. He was elected in 2018 as Orange County mayor, the first African American to hold the post. He won a second term in 2022.

His wife, Val Demings, is also a former Orlando police chief and congresswoman.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, who succeeded Val Demings in Congress, wrote on social media, “My heart is with Mayor Demings and his loved ones as they navigate this battle ahead.”

“Mayor Demings has always been a fighter for Orange County— always leading with love and resolve,” Frost wrote. “I have no doubt he’ll face this challenge with the same strength. We are standing with him every step of the way.”

Several county officials said they did not know about Demings’ health challenge until he spoke about it Friday morning.

Commissioner Michael Scott, who called Demings a mentor, said he was overwhelmed by the mayor’s announcement.

“I hope he’ll be able to overcome this and live a long life,” Scott said.

Commissioner Kelly Semrad said she, too, was stunned by the mayor’s revelation.

“Today we celebrated Mayor Demings’ extraordinary public service career. Later, we saw the character behind that career. To see his family standing arm in arm before a room full of cameras while he shared one of life’s most difficult moments with grace, poise and strength takes immense courage,” she said. “I have no doubt Mayor Demings will face this challenge the same way he has led throughout his career with strength, focus, and quiet determination. His words today were simple but powerful: pray first, aim high, and stay focused.”

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