Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes has been diagnosed with cancer, runs for reelection
Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes has been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing treatment.
Reyes, 79, confirmed his diagnosis with the Miami Herald on Monday. He said he told his staff, other city commissioners and the city manager in recent days. He has been working from home while handling city business and participating in commission meetings through video calls while running for re-election to represent District 4.
In an interview Monday, he said he is responding very well to the treatment, his levels are improving and he is “feeling much better.”
“I feel strong,” he said. “I’m feeling good.”
Reyes has been working from home since September after falling ill and being advised by his doctor. He underwent tests after his illness persisted. His diagnosis was confirmed in late September, he said.
“It was horrible news,” he said. “But the only thing is to believe in the Lord, get the best medical treatment that you can get, and fight it.”
The commissioner expressed frustration with his diagnosis becoming a public matter, and he said he has remained on top of city business.
“I don’t see why such a personal thing is news,” he said. “Why is this news?”
READ MORE: Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes seeks reelection against longshot challenger
Reyes is a cancer survivor who went into remission in 2019 after quietly undergoing treatment. He did not disclose his diagnosis at the time, and he did not miss any City Commission meetings during that treatment.
Reyes is running for a second full term representing District 4. A former city budget analyst and Miami-Dade Schools teacher, Reyes ran for office six times before he was elected in 2017 to complete the final two years of Francis Suarez’s term following Suarez’s election as mayor. In 2019, Reyes was re-elected without opposition. One relatively unknown opponent, Andres Vallina, is running against Reyes this year.
