Well-wishes poured in across party lines after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced on Friday he would suspend his campaign for Florida governor following a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Demings was one of two major Democratic contenders for governor. His announcement clears the way for former GOP Rep. David Jolly, who already held a massive fundraising lead, to clinch the Democratic nomination in August. Short of a game-changing surprise, Jolly will likely face the Republican nominee in a race marked by affordability, mid-decade redistricting and voter reactions to President Donald Trump’s second term.

Jolly, who had avoided criticizing Demings on the campaign trail, offered his condolences Friday. Some Republican contenders for governor also weighed in, including the front-runner, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

“Erika and I are praying for Jerry and Val,“ Donalds wrote on X, referencing Demings’ wife, a former Orlando police chief and congresswoman. ”May the Lord watch over the Demings family, provide them with strength and comfort, and bless Jerry with a swift recovery.”

Investor James Fishback, another GOP contenderrepresenting the right-wing fringe, offered his condolences as well.

“I last saw Jerry backstage at an event in Orlando in January, and while we may not see eye to eye on everything, he is a good man who has served his community since 1981,” Fishback wrote on X.

More tributes came pouring out from both sides of the aisle, including from Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried, Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power, Democratic U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Maxwell Frost, and state Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat.

Demings announced his campaign for governor in November, emphasizing his long history of service in the Orlando area, including a nearly decade-long stint as Orange County sheriff. Meandering and congenial, Demings said he wanted to restore the balance of power between the state and local governments in Florida.

“I have a track record of winning against the odds,” he told the Tampa Bay Times in a March interview, adding that he’d never lost a race.

Demings also calls himself a “lifelong Democrat,” something Jolly cannot claim.

But in fundraising, Demings trailed behind Jolly, who announced his campaign a year ago. Jolly has spent the past year touting affordability solutions and making the case that he is the Democrat who can lead the party to statewide victory in November.

Demings reported raising more than $650,000 by the end of March. Jolly had raised almost $5 million by that point, buoyed by Democrats’ special election victories in red-leaning state legislative districts. The two victors in those races ended up endorsing Jolly.

Along the campaign trail, Jolly frequently emphasized his respect for Demings and said he wanted to avoid the mudslinging taking place in the Republican primary for governor. Democrats face an uphill battle in the race, in which Donalds has raised $68 million and counting with the backing of the state’s conservative establishment.

Jolly reiterated his respect after Demings’ diagnosis was announced.

“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,” Jolly said in a statement. “Laura and I wish him a full recovery as we personally pray for Jerry and his family.”

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