A Florida Democrat announced Friday he would be suspending his campaign following a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Demings revealed the diagnosis during a press conference following his final State of the County address, describing the decision to step away from the campaign as a difficult but necessary choice.
“On Monday of this week, I received some bad news from my doctor, who confirmed that I have prostate cancer, and because of that, I am going to suspend my campaign for governor,” Demings said.
I am sharing about a private matter
I’m only sharing this because I am in this very visible public position. I am sharing about a private matter. I intend to continue running through the finish line of the mayor of Orange County.
”
Demings said he learned of the diagnosis earlier this week and informed his family on Thursday before making the announcement public.
Standing alongside his wife, former U. S. Rep.
and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, as well as other family members, the longtime public servant explained that balancing cancer treatment, his responsibilities as mayor, family obligations and a statewide campaign was no longer realistic.
I have to let something go
I can’t continue to do my job as mayor, take care of my family, and run for governor. So, I made a difficult decision. ”
Demings expressed gratitude to the supporters who backed his gubernatorial bid and stood by him throughout his decades-long career in public service.
“All those people who have supported me in this run, who have believed in me as I have run for governor, I say, ‘thank you,’ to all of them,” he said.
The announcement marks a significant setback for the veteran Florida Democrat, who entered the governor’s race hoping to bring his extensive law enforcement and government experience to statewide office
Reflecting on his career, Demings spoke emotionally about more than four decades of public service and the sacrifices that came with it.
“I had a wonderful career, a 45-year career, where I have given 100% during that time,” Demings said.
I have not been home during hurricanes, other emergencies, I’ve been out serving the people
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. ”
Demings has been one of Central Florida’s most prominent public officials for decades. He was elected Orange County mayor in 2018, becoming the county’s fifth mayor and its first Black mayor. He later won reelection in 2022 and is scheduled to complete his current term at the end of 2026.
Before becoming mayor, Demings built a lengthy career in law enforcement. He served as Orlando’s police chief beginning in 1998 before winning election as Orange County sheriff in 2008. He was reelected sheriff in 2012 and again in 2016.
A graduate of Jones High School in Orlando, Demings and his wife, Val, have three sons, Fox 35 Orlando reported
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men outside of non-melanoma skin cancer. It remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States.
Health officials note that all men face some risk of developing prostate cancer, with age being the biggest risk factor. African American men and those with a family history of the disease face an increased risk.
