Second Major Republican Jumps Into Florida Governor Contest

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner has officially launched his bid to become the state’s next governor, joining U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in the Republican primary to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Renner, who served as Speaker from 2022 to 2024, highlighted his record on insurance reform and expanding school choice as part of his campaign pitch. While Donalds enters the race with Trump’s endorsement and a $25 million war chest, Renner says his path lies in winning trust from voters across Florida’s 67 counties. The GOP field is expected to grow in the coming months, with speculation that DeSantis himself may seek to recruit another candidate.