Ex-House speaker is running for Florida governor, setting up possible GOP primary

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is jumping into the race to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Palm Coast Republican filed on Wednesday for the 2026 governor’s race. The move will pit him against fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

“If elected, I will go to where I have to go to stop any crack in the wall for the free state of Florida,” Renner said.

Other Florida Republicans have also been rumored to be eyeing the state’s top job, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and first lady Casey DeSantis.

Renner, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he believes there’s an appetite for a “robust primary.”

“Some voters will vote merely on an endorsement; I think many will look more broadly,” Renner said.

In response to Renner’s announcement, Ryan Smith, a spokesperson for Donalds’ campaign, said in a statement that “Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next Governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump.”

Renner said he spoke with DeSantis about his plan to run, but declined to comment on what the governor said. But DeSantis on Wednesday morning said Renner would not have his support. DeSantis has not yet endorsed a candidate for 2026.

“I think it was an ill-advised decision to enter the race,” DeSantis said at a news conference.

Renner said he’s supportive of Trump’s agenda and wants to tackle issues like the affordability crisis, reading scores among children, infrastructure needs and high insurance rates.

During his time as House speaker from 2022 to 2024, Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo passed a slew of conservative legislation, including bills that helped bolster DeSantis’ brand as a culture war fighter.

That included a six-week abortion ban, legislation that lets people carry a concealed weapon without a permit or training and a prohibition on medical treatment for children with gender dysphoria.

Renner also spearheaded legislation that allows any Florida child to receive a taxpayer-funded school choice voucher, pushed for legislation barring young kids from making social media accounts and helped expand Florida’s KidCare health insurance program (which has since been held up in a court battle).

DeSantis appointed Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System in February.

In that role, Renner took an active part in blocking Santa Ono from becoming the University of Florida’s president, with Renner grilling Ono on his views on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

(During that meeting, the UF board chair said Renner had expressed interest in becoming university president prior to Ono’s nomination. Renner responded that he had been asked to speak with the board chair and would not seek the role.)

Donalds’ political committee had raised more than $20 million as of late June. Existing political committees of Renner have about $1 million left.

David Jolly, a former Republican U.S. representative, is also running for governor, but as a Democrat. He has raised about $1 million as of late June.

More than a dozen other candidates have filed for the governor’s race, although most have not raised any money.

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Kirby Wilson contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM.