Jerry Demings, Orange County mayor and Democratic candidate for governor, says he’s suspending his campaign after receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Demings, 67, announced the news June 5 at a news conference following his State of the County address in Orlando. His wife Val, a former congresswoman, and other family members were at his side.
Demings told reporters he planned to finish the remainder of his mayoral term, which ends this November, but needed to focus on his health. He said he learned of his diagnosis earlier in the week, suggesting it was detected early: “Fortunately for me, I’m relatively healthy. I go to the doctor on a regular basis.”
His “campaign was evolving to the point where we really could win. … But if I have to come off the campaign trail so that I can still do my job, still go to treatment. I got to let something go,” he said at the news conference. “So we have been prayerful about the decision.”
Prostate cancer is among the most survivable cancers, especially when it is caught early. The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system.
Overall, 98% of U.S. patients diagnosed had not died from prostate cancer five years later, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and survival was 100% for those in which the cancer was confined to the prostate and did not spread.
“I’m going to focus now on my health,” added Demings, formerly a longtime law enforcement officer. “I’m going to focus on living. I’m not going to focus on running for another office.”
His decision leaves David Jolly as the leading Democrat among the 48 candidates overall, including political unknowns, currently running for Florida’s chief executive.
“Jerry has dedicated his life to public service, fighting with passion, mettle, and faith,” Jolly said in a statement. “I know he’ll 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.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, who represents part of Central Florida, posted on X that his “heart is with Mayor Demings and his loved ones as they navigate this battle ahead.”
Demings “has always been a fighter for Orange County – always leading with love and resolve,” he said. “I have no doubt he’ll face this challenge with the same strength. We are standing with him every step of the way.”
And Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried called Demings “a steadfast leader in our State & Orange County for decades.”
She posted, “We will continue to pray for him & his family as they navigate their next battle. He and Val will take on cancer the same way they have taken on public service – with fight, strength and courage.”
Demings said he had had “a wonderful career, 45-year career where I have given 100% during that time,” including as Orange County sheriff 2009–18.
“I have not been home during hurricanes, other emergencies. I’ve been out serving the people,” he said at the news conference, where he did not take questions. “My prayer was that I (would) continue to serve at a different level, but if I don’t take care of my own health, I won’t serve anybody.”
Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on X.com: @JimRosicaFL.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jerry Demings suspends Florida governor campaign post-cancer diagnosis
Reporting by Jim Rosica, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Rosica, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
