Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Boles has been diagnosed with throat cancer and will begin treatment immediately, but he intends to continue serving in office throughout the process.
In a statement, Boles said he plans to keep the details of his treatment private while remaining transparent about his overall health status. He said his medical team will begin treatment right away and he expressed confidence that he can continue carrying out his duties with minimal disruption.
“While I value transparency, I intend to keep the details of my treatment private. I want residents to know that I remain fully committed to serving our community,” Boles said.
Boles, who represents District 6 countywide, emphasized his dedication to public service and thanked residents for their support.
“Public service is a responsibility and a privilege I take seriously. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this work and only asked for the community’s continued support and prayers for both myself and my family,” Boles added in his Thursday statement.
Boles was elected in November 2024 to represent District 6. According to his county biography, he served as a Battalion Chief with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue before taking office, bringing more than 28 years of experience in emergency response and public service leadership to the role.
Boles has prioritized eliminating wasteful spending and has emphasized core government functions such as road improvements, sustainable growth and safeguarding taxpayer funds. Boles also serves as Executive Director of Hillsborough County Firefighter Charities and as Chair of the Board of Directors for Florida West Coast Credit Union.
He is married to his wife, Amber, and the couple has an adopted daughter. No additional details about his treatment timeline were included in the release.
