Earlier this morning, Florida State Rep. and former State House Speaker Paul Renner announced his candidacy in the Republican Primary Election for Florida Governor. On Facebook, Renner posted:
“As a legislator and Speaker of the House, I stood with Ron DeSantis to brand our state the Free State of Florida. I’m running for Governor so that when the DeSantis era comes to an end, we can defend our victories and solve the challenges that remain. As a military veteran of two wars, a state prosecutor, and Speaker of the House, I’ve fought the tough battles, and I will never back down from the fight for our conservative values. As a father, I am committed to securing Florida’s safety and prosperity for the next generation.”
According to a press release from Renner, he served 20 years as a Naval officer, including combat deployments during Operation Desert Storm and in Afghanistan. He began his legal career as a prosecutor, standing up for victims, and later built a successful private practice. He served in the legislature from 2015-2024, the last two as Speaker of the House. He currently serves on the State University System Board of Governors. Renner and his wife, Adriana, live in Palm Coast, where they are raising their two children.
Renner will face Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds, who represents Naples, and represented the 80th district in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020, but has no executive experience in his political career. In response to Renner’s entry, Donalds’ campaign strategist replied with an official statement:
“Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next Governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump.” – Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds for Governor Campaign.
