Paul Renner spotlights a life of service

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner has released a digital ad spotlighting his life’s journey and making the case for his next political move: becoming Governor.

The three-minute spot recounts Renner’s path, from being raised the son of a minister and a teacher, to serving in the armed forces, prosecuting criminals and leading lawmakers in Tallahassee. It also touches on Renner’s role in advancing school choice, cutting taxes, reforming litigation practices, and more from his legislative career.

“My parents taught me the importance of faith and family. When I served in the military during two wars, I learned to place service above self and focus on the mission at hand. Those experiences prepared me to lead the most conservative Legislative Sessions in Florida’s history,” Renner said.

“My focus as Speaker of the House was the people of this great state, not ego or political theater. As Governor, I will always put Florida First. Floridians can trust me to protect our way of life and leave our state better than we found it for the next generation.”

The video begins with ominous footage of choppy ocean waters at night.

“The Persian Gulf. Pitch black. Mines hidden just beneath the surface. One wrong turn and American forces would be lost,” a narrator intones before introducing Renner. “Just 23 years old, Paul Renner was the one trusted to lead.”

The video then goes on to describe how Renner’s faith helped him complete his mission serving in Operation Desert Storm, lifted by the teachings of his father, a minister.

“Years later, Paul Renner was called to lead again, this time in Afghanistan,” the narrator continues as a still of Renner fades to war footage. It describes how he served as a military intelligence officer, and commanded a unit to disrupt terrorist networks.

The video then pivots to Renner’s next civic service as a prosecutor, noting that he prosecuted violent criminals and worked to ensure justice for victims. It goes on to highlight his first election to the Legislature, and subsequently being chosen by his peers as Speaker, describing him as “one of the most consequential legislative leaders in Florida’s history.”

Then Renner takes over for the narrator, offering his own commentary.

“The fight for freedom, common sense and values we share is an urgent battle; everything is at stake,” he said.

The narrator then lists a series of accomplishments, including abortion restrictions, immigration crackdowns, school choice, tax cuts, election integrity and more.

While most of the video highlights accomplishments that could easily be celebrated by moderate or nonpartisan voters, the video touches on Renner’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and a narrator proudly proclaims Renner helped ensure “liberal craziness (was) brought to an end.”

Renner then continues, arguing progress must be protected, and furthered.

The video then praises both Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump, whom the narrator says Renner will stand by as Florida’s next Governor. The mentions are important to Renner’s strategy — neither DeSantis nor Trump have endorsed him in the GOP Primary. Trump has already endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the first Republican to jump into the race, and DeSantis has called Renner’s entrance into the race “ill-advised.”

“The Left will do everything they can to overturn what we have accomplished and I will defend it with everything I have. The question is simple: Who do we trust to defend our conservative wins and take on the challenges that still exist?” Renner says in the video.

Renner announced his bid for Governor on Sept. 3, joining Donalds in the race. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has also been rumored to mount a bid with support from DeSantis.

It won’t be the first time Renner faces Donalds. Donalds was among four legislative leaders seeking to become House Speaker in 2017, with Renner defeating the now Congressman at the time.

While Renner entered the race with eyes wide open about Trump’s support for Donalds and DeSantis’ expected support for Collins, he told Florida Politics when he first filed that he expects both will come around should he become the Republican nominee for Governor.

“In the meantime, I’m going to go out and deliver my message with conviction,” Renner said earlier this month. “The reasons why I think that I’m best prepared to continue what the Governor has done over the last eight years, which has been extraordinary, and that voters will rally to that.”

Renner also said he’s not worried about the massive $25 million war chest Donalds has already amassed, saying his campaign will “have enough to compete competitively.”

He’s also banking on the “civil war” between Teams Trump and DeSantis to carve a path to the Republican nomination.

“It looks like there may be a looming civil war, and I’m going to put Florida first. That’s going to be my approach,” Renner told the Florida Phoenix earlier this month. “I think the race will look very different a year from now than it does today.”

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