Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced the suspension of his campaign for governor of Florida after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. In a news conference held on Friday, Demings shared, “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.” Despite this setback, he intends to fulfill his responsibilities as mayor of Orange County.

Demings, an Orlando native and graduate of Jones High School, has served as the fifth elected mayor of Orange County since 2018, securing reelection in 2022. As the County’s chief executive officer, he oversees more than 8,000 employees and manages a $7 billion budget.

Community Support

Following the announcement, support poured in from various public figures. Former Congressman David Jolly expressed his admiration for Demings’ dedication to public service, stating, “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. Laura and I wish him a full recovery as we personally pray for Jerry and his family.”

Other political figures, including Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost and Rep. Rita Harris, also extended their support and well wishes through statements shared on social media platforms.

As this is a developing story, updates are expected as more information becomes available.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.