Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings on Friday said he was suspending his campaign to be Florida’s next governor after being diagnosed with cancer.
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“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 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. “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.
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Demings, who had a long career in law enforcement and was 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 by 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’.”
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He added, “Pray for America … America has got some challenges.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.