- April 26, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
State Sen. Dorothy Hukill announced on Sept. 28 that she is entering hospice care after the aggressive return of cancer and, as a result, won't be seeking re-election in November.
Hukill said in a Facebook post that she received treatment in 2016, and the cancer went into remission. She returned to public service for two years until she experienced an "aggressive recurrence."
She said she enjoyed serving the people of Florida, from her first term serving on the Ponce Inlet City Council to serving as councilwoman and mayor in Port Orange to the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate.
"To all of my friends, supporters, constituents, colleagues, and my dedicated staff who have all done so much on behalf of the people we've served: thank you from the bottom of my heart," Hukill said.
Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette said he and everyone in the city is hurting for Hukill and her family.
Burnette said everyone in Port Orange knew her one way or another. He also said Hukill supported Port Orange, even in tough times, including appropriating $750,000 for the the Port Orange Flooding Mitigation and Stormwater Quality Improvement project to address flooding in the area of Virginia Avenue and Monroe Street.
"It's a classic example of Dorothy," he said.
After Hukill's announcement, Melissa "Mel" Martin, the Democratic candidate for Florida Senate District 14, said in an open letter that she will not reflect on politics and instead reflect on Hukill's decades of public service.
Martin expressed admiration for Hukill's dedication to Ponce Inlet, Port Orange and Florida.
"We lift you up in true respect and esteem, and I would love the honor to sponsor a bill on Day 1 to assure your name continues to be known and loved in perpetuity," Martin said.
