TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner announced that he has filed paperwork launching his campaign for Governor of Florida.
“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.
“I know how to defend and expand our role as the leading conservative state in the nation and I will ensure we remain a leading partner for President Donald Trump in his efforts to Make America Great Again. I helped deliver the legislative victories that make Florida what it is today and you can count on me to take on the left and special interests that aim to push their radical agenda. We can’t let that happen. When the left tried to buy their way into our state constitution, I played a leading role in the defeat of Amendments 3 and 4. I also led the statewide effort to win school board races and beat woke activists so that our children stay focused on education, not indoctrination.
“As the son of a minister and a teacher, I learned the most important things in life are faith in God, your family, and honesty and hard work. From years in the military, I also carry with me the veteran values of the men and women with whom I served, including: a deep love of country, a belief in service above self, and the determination to never quit until your mission is achieved,” Renner said.
Renner has held positions of trust since he was 23, navigating a Navy warship through mine-infested waters and holding a top secret clearance to safeguard our nation’s most sensitive information. Twenty years later, he commanded a unit in Afghanistan focused on stopping foreign fighters intent on killing American service personnel. As a state prosecutor, he sent violent criminal offenders to prison, while standing up for victims. As a legislator, his colleagues trusted him to serve in the role of Speaker of the House, where he presided over what many have called the most consequential and conservative session in Florida’s history.
As Speaker, Renner refused to compromise his principles, fighting for and delivering major reforms. A strong supporter of educational freedom, he led passage of the largest expansion of school choice in the nation, giving parents the ability to choose the best education for their child. For Renner, protecting children and childhood became one of his proudest achievements. He took on Big Tech, passing nationally leading legislation to shield kids from online predators and addictive platforms, while also advancing stricter penalties against child predators and keeping young kids from online pornography.
Renner delivered historic litigation reform, ending Florida’s reputation as a “judicial hellhole.” Frivolous lawsuits had driven up costs and destabilized the insurance market, but thanks to his leadership, Florida is now attracting new insurers and families are finally seeing relief as rates come down.
Renner also worked to preserve Florida’s natural treasures. He supported record investments in the Everglades, championed clean water initiatives, and expanded the Florida Wildlife Corridor – connecting vital lands and waterways to protect Florida’s natural heritage for future generations. He believes every Floridian deserves clean air and water, and as Governor he will leave Florida’s environment better than he found it.
A defender of constitutional rights, Renner supported an amendment to enshrine hunting and fishing into Florida’s constitution and expanded Second Amendment protections so no Floridian would ever need a government permission slip to defend themselves.
Renner’s record also demonstrates his unwavering support for public safety and the rule of law. He worked closely with Florida’s sheriffs and police chiefs to strengthen pay and benefits, deliver new training and tools, and pass laws to protect officers in the line of duty. He also led an effort to crack down on gun crimes and raise penalties for those engaged in human trafficking and supported increased penalties for those who enter our country illegally and commit crimes in our state. His leadership ensured that Florida became a state where law enforcement is honored, not vilified.
Renner has also been a committed defender of life. Under his leadership, the Legislature passed the Heartbeat Bill, protecting unborn life once a heartbeat is detected. Thereafter, he joined the leadership group to defeat an initiative to enshrine unlimited (and likely taxpayer funded) abortion on demand in our state constitution.
Renner, knowing firsthand that every ballot matters, also stood firm in defending Florida’s election laws. As Speaker, he safeguarded Florida’s election integrity and made sure the state remains a national model for free, fair, and secure elections. If you cheat in Florida, you will go to jail.
“Despite the progress we’ve made, challenges remain. Families are struggling with the high cost of living. The left is working to push its agenda into our schools and institutions. Joe Biden’s open border gave us crime, fentanyl, and a huge burden on taxpayers. Big Tech targets our kids with addictive platforms that rob them of their childhood. The state’s growth puts a burden on our environment and infrastructure. These are not small challenges. These are defining battles for our state’s future. But you can count on me to take on those fights and win!”
Renner 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.