Hurtak spoke about her treatment and diagnosis during a public meeting — just shortly after the council approved funds for a proposed Rays stadium deal.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak announced Thursday she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Hurtak, who represents District 3, spoke about her treatment and diagnosis during a public meeting — just shortly after the council approved funds for a proposed Rays stadium deal.

Since receiving the diagnosis on Aug. 12, Hurtak said she’s been “poked and prodded,” received MRIs and PET scans and will also need surgery. She’ll be starting chemo therapy on Aug. 31 and go through a 12-week treatment cycle, but she said she hopes to have it done by Thanksgiving.



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Even through the treatment, she told fellow council members that her work will continue.

“I will tell you all that having to be here for 12 hours today has been very painful for me. I’m in a lot of pain right now,” she said. “Based on my blood count levels, I may have to be virtual — but I won’t miss a meeting. I will be here. I just want my constituents to know that I fought for you today, and I will continue to fight for you. Nothing changes for me, it just might change where I am.”

City Council Chairman Alan Clendenin offered his support during the meeting alongside other members.

“I think I speak on behalf of everybody, our hearts and prayers are with you, and we’ll be with you all the way,” Clendenin said. 

“I’ll take blessings, prayers, good thoughts — whatever you’ve got. We’re going to get through it,” Hurtak responded. “It’s been a really heavy burden to carry privately.”

Hurtak was first appointed to Tampa City Council in 2022 to fill John Dingfelder’s seat, who had resigned as part of a settlement over a lawsuit, accusing him of public records law violations. She then won the seat in the 2023 runoff election, defeating former state Sen. Janet Cruz with at least 60% of the vote. 

Hurtak is now in the 2027 race for Tampa mayor along with several others, including former mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson, Alan Henderson and Taryn Sabia.