Steve Hogan, who has been mayor of Aurora since 2011, has announced that he won’t seek a third term as he battles cancer.

The mayor of Colorado’s third-largest city made the announcement Monday in a Facebook post.

“As many of you may have heard, I have been dealing with some health-related issues over the last month,” he said. “What my family and I initially assumed was the flu has turned to a more serious diagnosis. I have cancer. I am working closely with health care professionals to evaluate all treatment options.”

Hogan said that, “while my primary focus will be on my health, I certainly will continue to serve Aurora along with my fellow elected officials, city management and employees … It continues to be my professional privilege serve as Mayor of Aurora. I am honored to help lead Aurora forward.”

Hogan was elected Aurora mayor in 2011, succeeding Ed Tauer, and was re-elected in 2015. His term expires in November 2019.

“I am eligible to seek re-election in 2019. I will not be doing so,” he said in his post. “For the great City of Aurora, it is time for new leadership. I am thankful for the 34 years of representing Aurora.”

Hogan served a single term in the Colorado House of Representatives in the mid-1970s, representing an Aurora district. He later served a total of six non-consecutive terms on the Aurora city council from the late ’70s to 2009.

He twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the early 1980s as a candidate in the 6th Congressional District.

“I would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support and friendship in this difficult time,” Hogan said via Facebook. “… I have taken the liberty of drawing on the collective strength of my family, friends and our great city and am ready to begin my journey to recovery. I humbly accept your prayers and certainly appreciate your well wishes…”

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, in a tweet addressed to Hogan after the announcement, called him “a true gentleman and a great mayor for your residents. You have supported so many, and now we all stand in support of you. I’m praying for your strength and triumph over cancer.”