Republican governor hopeful Paul Renner isn’t new to tackling the issues facing the Sunshine State.
Having served in the Florida House from 2015 to 2024, Renner went through the ranks while he was in Tallahassee. He was House Speaker in his final term when Florida was economically booming post-COVID.
He’s a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm and later in combat operation in Afghanistan. He had a legal career, which included time as assistant state attorney and business attorney.
Amid a tense Republican primary, Renner has been making his rounds to meet voters and discuss his stance on the issues from property tax to data centers. He’s also highlighting how the first 100 days would look under his reign.
Recently, Renner’s campaign reached out to the Keys Weekly for an interview to discuss the issues and priorities facing the Florida Keys and the rest of the state. He was in the middle of a trip to Marathon to meet voters that evening and a debate with candidates James Fishback and Jay Collins in Fort Lauderdale the next day (U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds didn’t participate).
“We’re very busy,” Renner said as he arrived at the Upper Keys office. “Everywhere we go we win.”
Renner began by stating his track record of success during his time in the Florida Legislature, including his time as speaker when he helped advance the nation’s “most conservative state agenda” and becoming the “free state of Florida” as states shut down during the pandemic.
“We have to continue to go forward,” Renner said. “We don’t want to fail. We have to tackle affordability.”
Property taxes and data centers are among the notable topics being raised across the state. Renner said he is “not hot” on the Legislature’s approved ballot measure to phase out and eventually end property taxes on homesteaded properties — and leaving ad valorem funding alone for school districts.
Renner’s proposal, if governor, includes an immediate rollback of property taxes via legislative action, as well as capping future taxes to ensure the government cannot grow faster than Floridians’ annual incomes. His proposal also would protect seniors and first-time homebuyers.
As for large-scale data centers, Renner said he’s a “hard no.”
“I’d impose a statewide moratorium to impose a halt on hyperscale data centers,” he said. “They’re not huge job creators. They suck up resources and threaten the Florida aquifer, land and the power grid.”
As part of his plan, Renner wants to pass Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed artificial intelligence bill of rights, which was passed in the Senate but not the House last session, to insert controls over the technology. It would provide a variety of consumer protections, including prohibiting minors from accessing the platform or maintaining an account, unless a parent gives consent. The bill would require certain disclosures to an account holder informing them that the chatbot isn’t human. It would also place limits on government contracting with entities for artificial intelligence technology, software, or products if such entities have certain ties to a government of a foreign country of concern.
As for the environment, Renner notes he was a supporter of the area of critical state concern designation for the Florida Keys and providing funding for water quality and land acquisition through Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Renner said the whole idea of the designation was to protect the precious environment and limit development.
“The Keys are a one-of-a-kind place,” Renner said. “They no doubt play a big part in the state’s economic success.”
Renner said he’s outlined a “contract with Florida” to implement many priorities in the first 100 days. They include making Florida affordable by eliminating property taxes on primary residences, reducing homeowners’ insurance premiums by 20% and lowering electric rates by bringing more transparency to the rate-setting process.
In keeping Florida safe, Renner’s contract would recall elected officials who engage in insider trading, enforce illegal immigration laws and enact the death penalty for human trafficking of minors, while limiting death-penalty appeals to three years.
His plan also seeks to strengthen medical freedom by ending mandates and protecting parental rights, while ending unlawful government surveillance and eliminating Flock cameras.
Renner ended the conversation by stating that he’s a proven leader who’s defended the country as a naval officer, prosecuted serious felony cases and delivered results in his time in the Florida House.
“We’re going to deliver on our promises,” he said.
