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Paul Renner campaign launches ‘Women for Renner Coalition’ with steering committee

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Former House Speaker Paul Renner is formalizing his push for the Governor’s Mansion with a new organizing arm focused on women voters.

Renner’s campaign just announced the creation of a statewide steering committee for its “Women for Renner Coalition,” assembling dozens of conservative activists, educators, business leaders and faith-based advocates to amplify women’s voices supporting his gubernatorial bid.

The coalition, the campaign said, is designed to mobilize women across political and professional lines around issues. Among them: parental rights, public safety, faith, economic opportunity and what the campaign describes as “principled leadership.”

Renner said in a statement Tuesday that the coalition will serve as both a values-driven and operational component of his campaign.

“Women are the heart and voice of families and communities,” Renner said. “I am honored to have the growing support of strong, dedicated female leaders that will ensure their concerns remain front and center — especially when it comes to protecting faith, American exceptionalism, parental rights, a prosperous economy, and defending the principles of freedom that guide us.”

The “Women for Renner Coalition” will function as an internal organizing network, encouraging women across Florida to share personal stories, engage voters and advocate on key campaign issues. The campaign said the group will also work to elevate women’s perspectives in policymaking and community engagement.

Adriana Renner, the candidate’s wife, said she has seen her husband’s commitment to families and praised the coalition as a vehicle for advancing what the campaign calls a “Florida First agenda.”

“I know his heart and his dedication to serving Florida’s families runs deep,” she said in a statement.

Several conservative activists and former officials offered endorsements through the announcement, praising Renner’s record on parental rights, medical freedom and opposition to federal overreach.

Nancy Peek McGowan, who held prominent roles in past campaigns of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted Renner’s background as a U.S. Navy veteran, former state prosecutor and University of Florida law graduate.

“As the former State Chairwoman for ‘Women for DeSantis,” she said, “I can say with certainty, Paul Renner is the only authentic conservative running for Governor with a lifetime record to prove it.”

Mary Flynn O’Neill, Executive Director of America’s Future, said Renner has exhibited “steadfast leadership to protect the ideals that matter most to Floridians.”

“Paul Renner has consistently championed the principles that define our nation — faith, freedom, and the enduring strength of the American family,” she said. “His leadership reflects a deep respect for the values that unite our communities and guide Florida forward.

The steering committee itself includes more than 40 members from across the state, ranging from local school board officials and former legislators to nonprofit executives, physicians and student activists.

They include Wendy Biddle, educator and activist; Regina Brown, Realtor and President of Transforming Florida; Lourdes Castillo, businesswoman and conservative activist; Virginia Cortes, nonprofit executive; Ann Dugger, former Executive Director of the Justice Coalition; Maureen France, conservative activist and former Chair of Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana Florida; Mara Frazier, educator and conservative activist; Christi Griner, patient advocate and former state leader for Concerned Women of America; Jenna Hague, business leader and political activist; Mary Lou Hendry, pro-life advocate; Stephanie Jacobson, pro-life advocate; Charlotte Joyce, Duval County School Board member; Debbie Joyce, business leader and conservative activist; Jill Kiley, health freedom advocate; Bailey Kuykendoll, health freedom advocate; Lori Long, business leader and Central Florida community activist; Zarai Maza, CEO of Guardians of Human Rights Foundation; Aimee Villela-McBride, Executive Director of Global Wellness Forum; Aislynn Thomas-McDonald, lawyer and conservative advocate; Nancy Peek McGowan, former co-Chair of the DeSantis gubernatorial campaign and Rubio campaign grassroots leader; Kate Morales, student activist; Karyn Morton, leader of the Republican Liberty Caucus, co-founder of the Duval Trump Club, and former Duval County GOP Chair and Committeewoman; Andrea Marconi Nasteli, physician and grassroots advocate; Becky Nathanson, education activist; Mary Flynn O’Neill, Executive Director of America’s Future; Lindsay Randall, education leader and advocate; Adriana Renner; Miriam Ramirez, physician and former state Senator of Puerto Rico; Isabelle Sala, educator; Ginger Soud, former Jacksonville City Council Chair and Duval County co-Chair of Trump for President; Cyndi Stevenson, former state Representative; Patti Sullivan, parental rights advocate; Ann Vandersteel, radio show host and conservative activist.

The launch comes as Florida’s 2026 Governor’s race begins to take clearer shape. Notable Republicans lining up to succeed DeSantis, who faces term limits, include U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and investment executive James Fishback.

Two high-profile Democrats, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and ex-Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, are also running.

DeSantis hasn’t yet weighed in on the contest, which Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has hinted at entering.



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Ashley Moody, Rick Scott diverge on rescheduling pot

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Florida’s U.S. Senators are split on President Donald Trump potentially rescheduling cannabis.

While Rick Scott signed a letter opposing the move with GOP colleagues, Ashley Moody did not.

“Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug will undermine your strong efforts to Make America Great Again and to usher in America’s next economic Golden Age. The only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill,” the letter claims.

The Senators argue that changing cannabis’ classification would harm America’s attempts to reindustrialize, would have health consequences, and would give a “massive tax break” to companies in the space.

“While supporters of rescheduling argue that extending tax benefits to marijuana businesses will create economic growth, the costs of workplace and vehicular accidents caused by increased marijuana usage far exceeds any perceived benefits—not to mention the moral costs of marijuana advertising that could reach kids.”

Scott has called marijuana a “gateway drug” and says his own brother died after a lifetime struggle with drugs that began with it, so his opposition to relaxed laws continues.

While Attorney General, Moody opposed legalization initiatives in Florida. However, rumors are that the White House is considering rescheduling to Schedule III, which would permit medical research but wouldn’t immediately make it more commercially available.

12.17.2025-Letter-on-Marijuana-Rescheduling-



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Florida military installations to divvy up nearly $1B in federal funding act

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10 military installations in the Sunshine State will get a cut of the funding approved by Congress.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is touting approval by Congress of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will bring nearly a billion dollars in funding for several military installations in Florida.

The measure passed along bipartisan lines in the Senate and covers defense funding for the next fiscal year. It authorizes about $900 billion in total for defense spending across the U.S. The House signed off on the measure last week.

The act earmarks about $851 million for Florida installations. It will also fund expanded shipbuilding and prioritize development of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

“The passage of this year’s NDAA is a victory for the strengthening of our national security and Florida’s military bases. It is vital for the protection of our great nation that our military has the resources needed to deter evil and stay mission ready. Sadly, just this week we lost two National Guardsmen and an interpreter far too soon at the hands of an apparent ISIS attack in Syria. My heart breaks for their families’ unimaginable loss. It is a stark reminder that we must continue our efforts to secure peace through a robust national defense,” Moody said in a news release Wednesday.

“Florida is proud to be the home of three combatant commands, including SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM and SOCOM, as well as 21 military installations which all play a highly important role in the United States’ military strategy. I will always fight for their interests, because a strong military is essential for a strong nation.”

Ten different military installations in Florida will get a partial cut of the funding including, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Eglin Air Force Base, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Hurlburt Field, MacDill Air Force Base, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Naval Air Station Key West, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Tyndall Air Force Base.

Florida is home to more than 90,000 active military personnel in the state, and about 1.5 million military veterans reside here.



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New College Foundation announces $1M gift for ‘Socratic Stage’ program

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The New College Foundation has announced a $1 million donation from Dr. Michael C. and Ling Z. Markovitz to establish a new campus program centered on debate, classical learning and public discourse.

The donation, made directly to the New College Foundation, will help the college establish the Markovitz Socratic Stage, a signature forum dedicated to revitalizing civil discourse, classical learning and the free exchange of ideas on campus.

“We believe deeply in the power of ideas — and the courage it takes to explore them openly,” Michael said in a statement. “New College is leading a movement to bring back real dialogue, real debate, and real education. We are honored to support this mission and help build a program where students learn to think for themselves, speak with conviction, and engage with the world in meaningful ways.”

The donation will support a series of debates, lectures and discussion-based events meant to bring together students, faculty, visiting scholars and community members for debates, dialogues, books discussions, lecture series, public forums, intellectual events open to the community, and student-centered opportunities.

The program will be integrated into New College’s Logos/Techne curriculum and is expected to launch as a recurring campus initiative open to the public.

College President Richard Corcoran called the gift a “defining moment” for the institution, saying it aligns with New College’s emphasis on classical education and intellectual freedom.

“Michael and Ling Markovitz have made a profound and visionary commitment to New College,” he said. “Their gift strengthens our mission to revive rigorous classical education and restore the humanities as a force for intellectual freedom. The Markovitz Socratic Stage will impact generations of students by giving them a place to think deeply, debate boldly, and seek truth fearlessly.”



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