Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign After Cancer Diagnosis
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings ends his gubernatorial bid to focus on fighting a treatable form of prostate cancer.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced Friday he is suspending his 2026 Democratic gubernatorial campaign following a diagnosis of treatable prostate cancer.
The 66-year-old mayor made the announcement to reporters after delivering his final “State of the County” address at the Orange County Convention Center. Demings said he will complete his mayoral term, which expires in November.
“Continuing to run for governor would have likely led to injurious effects on my prognosis. I am a fighter through and through, and now is the time to fight cancer and be there for my loved ones,” Demings said in a prepared statement.
Campaign Momentum Before Diagnosis
Demings described the difficult decision to step away from a campaign that had been gaining traction across Florida. The mayor said his polling showed strong chances for victory in the Democratic primary.
“Running for governor has been one of the biggest honors of my life. Up until my diagnosis, our campaign was continuing to add staff and grow our reach throughout the state. Our polling showed a strong chance of victory, and I had been looking forward to articulating my vision for our state on the trail through the primary and into November,” the statement said.
Demings entered the gubernatorial race in November and had been competing for the Democratic nomination against former Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly, who became a Democrat just one year ago.
Decades of Public Service
The announcement marks a pause in Demings’ extensive public service career spanning law enforcement and local government. He joined the Orlando Police Department in 1981 and rose through the ranks to become Orlando Police Chief in 1998.
Demings then served as Orange County Sheriff from 2008 to 2018 before winning election as Orange County Mayor in 2018. In each of these positions, he became the first Black person to hold those offices.
Recent polling had shown the Democratic primary race remained competitive, with a majority of Democratic voters in some surveys indicating they were undecided between the two candidates.
Opponent’s Response
David Jolly quickly issued a statement wishing Demings well following the announcement. “Jerry has dedicated his life to public service, fighting with passion, mettle, and faith,” Jolly said.
The suspension leaves Jolly as the apparent frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, though other candidates could still enter the race before filing deadlines.
Demings emphasized his commitment to completing his current responsibilities as Orange County Mayor while focusing on his health battle ahead.
