Jerry Demings suspends Democratic gubernatorial bid following cancer diagnosis

Orange County Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Demings announced Friday he is suspending his 2026 campaign after being diagnosed with a treatable form of prostate cancer.

In a prepared release Demings said that “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.”

He will finish out his mayoral term, which expires in November.

The mayor broke the news while speaking to reporters after completing his final “State of the County” address at the Orange County Convention Center. He said he intends to serve out the remainder of his term in office.

“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 (campaign)trail through the primary and into November,” the statement said.

Demings, 66, had a lengthy career in law enforcement before being elected Orange County Mayor in 2018. He joined the Orlando Police Department in 1981. In 1998 he became Orlando Police Chief and was elected as Orange County Sheriff from 2008-2018. In all three positions, he became the first Black person to win those offices.

He entered the race for governor in November and has been competing for the Democratic nomination against former Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly, who only became a Democrat a year ago.

Polls have shown the race to be competitive, with a majority of Democratic voters in some of those surveys saying that they were undecided on who they would support.

Jolly quickly issued a release wishing Demings well.

“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.”

Republican gubernatorial candidates such as Byron Donalds and James Fishback also released statements wishing Demings well.

Demings candidacy for governor came four years after his wife, former U.S. Rep. Val Demings, was the Florida Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Senate. The couple are the parents of three sons and have five grandchildren.