{"id":299394,"date":"2026-06-07T20:14:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/299394\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T20:14:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:14:29","slug":"orange-county-mayor-jerry-demings-diagnosed-with-prostate-cancer-suspends-race-for-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/299394\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings diagnosed with prostate cancer, suspends race for governor"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Credit: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Orange County mayor and recent Florida gubernatorial hopeful Jerry Demings announced Friday he is suspending his run after receiving a cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonday of this week I received some bad news,\u201d he said. \u201cI have prostate cancer, and because of that, I am going to suspend my campaign for governor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement came during his eighth and final \u201cState of the County\u201d address Friday. Although it\u2019s a private matter, he said, he felt the need to make the news public given his role in the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to let something go. I can\u2019t continue to do my job as mayor, take care of my family, and run for governor.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that he does not have a history of prostate cancer in his family and he is in good health otherwise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to focus on my health. I\u2019m going to focus on living. I\u2019m not going to focus on running for another office,\u201d Demings said.<\/p>\n

He thanked those who have supported him throughout his career.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I say to all of you is, \u2018pray for me,\u2019\u201d Demings said at the end of his address.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPray for America. America has got some challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s first African American police chief and Orange County\u2019s first African American sheriff and, later, first African American mayor.<\/p>\n

Demings\u2019 statement released later on Friday reads:<\/p>\n

\u201cI remain committed to serving the citizens of Orange County for the final six months of my mayoral term. My prostate cancer was caught early and is treatable. I appreciate your continued support and prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Congressman David Jolly released the following statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cJerry has dedicated his life to public service, fighting with passion, mettle, and faith. I know he\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

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