Paul Renner Launches Gubernatorial Campaign without Trump or DeSantis Endorsement

Strategic Insights -

Paul Renner, the Republican former Florida House speaker, has launched a campaign for governor without the backing of either President Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis. Renner believes he can appeal to conservative voters by taking advantage of the growing rift between DeSantis and Trump supporters ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race. Renner plans to emphasize his alignment with Trump's MAGA agenda while defining his record as "inseparable" from DeSantis's legacy, which was largely built when Renner served as House Speaker.

Key Takeaways:

  • Renner lacks the endorsement of either President Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis, but believes he can win the GOP nomination by taking advantage of the growing rift between DeSantis and Trump supporters.
  • Renner plans to emphasize his alignment with Trump's MAGA agenda while defining his record as "inseparable" from DeSantis's legacy.
  • Renner's record as House Speaker was marked by passing controversial legislation that served as a springboard for DeSantis's 2023 presidential campaign, including a crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and a stringent six-week abortion ban.
  • President Donald Trump has backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, while Gov. Ron DeSantis has been elevating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, leaving Renner to seek a third lane to the governor's mansion without a substantial backer.
  • Renner has roughly $1 million in his political committee account, compared to Donalds' $22 million and Collins' $500,000.
  • Renner has served as House Speaker from 2022 through 2024 and remains in lockstep with DeSantis on top issues facing Florida, including supporting mid-decade redistricting and slicing or eliminating property taxes.

Statistics:

  • Link between Trump and DeSantis has grown, affecting the governor's record in the Legislature (https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/04/eliminating-vaccine-mandates-could-open-rift-among-florida-republicans/).
  • 1 million more registered voters in GOP than Democrats (https://floridianpress.com/2025/04/the-wheels-are-off-in-the-florida-capitol-a-poorly-written-episode-of-the-west-wing/).
  • Renner has $1 million, while Donalds has $22 million (https://floridapolitics.com/archives/755069-poll-byron-donalds-already-crushing-primary-lead-is-growing/).
  • Gov. DeSantis opposed Paul Renner's entry into the governor's race as 'ill-advised' (https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/03/desantis-opposes-paul-renner-entering-governors-race-ill-advised-decision/#:~:text=1-,DeSantis%20opposes%20Paul%20Renner%20entering%20governor's%20race:%20'Ill%2Dadvised,Donald%20Trump%2Dendorsed%20U.S.%20Rep.).

Sources:

  • https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/04/eliminating-vaccine-mandates-could-open-rift-among-florida-republicans/
  • https://floridianpress.com/2025/04/the-wheels-are-off-in-the-florida-capitol-a-poorly-written-episode-of-the-west-wing/
  • https://floridapolitics.com/archives/755069-poll-byron-donalds-already-crushing-primary-lead-is-growing/
  • https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/03/desantis-opposes-paul-renner-entering-governors-race-ill-advised-decision/#:~:text=1-,DeSantis%20opposes%20Paul%20Renner%20entering%20governor's%20race:%20'Ill%2Dadvised,Donald%20Trump%2Dendorsed%20U.S.%20Rep.