Paul Renner launches 2026 Florida governor bid, pledges to 'Defend the Free State'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is officially running for governor in 2026, pitching himself as a battle-tested conservative who can carry on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legacy while tackling Florida’s rising cost of living.

Launching His Bid

Renner confirmed his candidacy Wednesday, saying the decision came after “a lot of prayer” and discussions with his family.

“Look, as the father of young children, I think a lot about questions of the future… after Governor DeSantis, who’s going to stand in and fight under pressure and deliver results?” Renner said in an interview. “I’m running for governor because I believe I’m the guy that can stand in and defend the Florida we love, but also address challenges. And, let’s face it— we still have challenges here in Florida.”

The Palm Coast Republican is a 20-year Navy veteran, a former prosecutor, and most recently Speaker of the Florida House. He says that record proves he’s prepared for the state’s top job.

Platform Priorities

Renner put affordability front and center in his launch, vowing to lower costs for families.

“We need to make sure we are invested in home hardening to lower those homeowners rates. We want to keep doing that, but we've got to roll back property taxes… We've increased double the national average here in Florida over the last several years in property taxes, and people are really struggling with the high cost of living,” he said.

He also pointed to his legislative record, helping get conservative priorities across the finish line: expanding universal school vouchers, passing sweeping insurance tort reform, and enacting restrictions on minors’ access to social media — though the latter remains in litigation.

Renner pledged to sign an open carry bill, supports lowering the firearm purchase age back to 18, and opposes Medicaid expansion. He also voiced concerns about artificial intelligence, saying the state should consider age restrictions to protect children.

“I think voters need to look at three things for a leader is, who do you trust, who has demonstrated leadership under pressure and has leadership experience to be governor and who's delivered results,” Renner said.

Alignment With DeSantis — But No Endorsement

Renner said his philosophy mirrors DeSantis’ but promised a different style of leadership.

“That’s what we need in a leader—somebody who’s not going to just sit behind the desk as governor and see what comes to them, but [who] is going to go out and stop efforts to break the wall of the Free State of Florida,” Renner said.

Despite that alignment, DeSantis isn’t backing his former ally. The governor dismissed the idea of an endorsement while speaking at a Tampa-area press conference.

“I’m not supporting Paul Renner,” the governor said. “I think it was an ill-advised decision to enter the race.”

A Growing GOP Field

Renner joins a primary already in motion. Naples Congressman Byron Donalds is considered an early frontrunner thanks to the backing of President Donald Trump.

“Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next Governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump,” Donalds’ campaign said.

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins is also weighing a bid.

“Yeah, we are looking into that,” he said this week. “You have to measure that. You gotta understand what's going on. Am I afraid to step up and lead? No. Are we at that point yet? Not yet. But, not afraid to fight.”

Asked about Renner’s run, Collins added: “Paul’s a friend, and ultimately, look, it’s a free country. He can do what he wants to do. That is what we fought for. He's a veteran as well. If that’s what he wants to do, Godspeed.”

Renner on Being an Underdog

Renner brushed off suggestions that he’s entering as an underdog. That’s despite Donalds having a war chest of about $20.9 million in cash on hand between his political committee and main campaign account, according to the latest fundraising reports.

“The American colonists were underdogs,” said Renner. “David was an underdog to Goliath. Look, I have a core conviction, as I mentioned, that on all the issues that matter, trust, leadership under pressure, and leadership experience rather and delivering results, if people simply look at that, I'm very confident that at the end, we're going to go to every corner of the state that with hard work and God's help, we're going to win this race.”

Democrats Eye an Opening

As Republicans prepare for what could be a bruising primary, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly is urging Democrats to unite behind him.

“Florida Republicans just got a heavyweight primary fight,” Jolly wrote online. “For Florida and national Democrats, now is our time to unify our race. We can win the Florida Governorship and deliver real change.”