Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner speaks with the Miami Herad at the Hilton Miami Downtown hotel on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
Gov. Ron DeSantis has continued to withhold any endorsement in the heated gubernatorial Republican primary. But on Thursday, he gave a nod to former House Speaker Paul Renner, saying Renner would make a good governor.
When Renner first announced his campaign in 2025, DeSantis quickly called it “ill-advised.”
But at a news conference Thursday in Lehigh Acres, DeSantis, who is term-limited, said his comment was based on whether Renner had the resources and deep pockets to win.
“[It] wasn’t because I didn’t think he would be a good governor; I think he’d be really good,” DeSantis said.
Renner did not immediately respond to a request for comment but reposted a clip of the news conference on X and solicited donations to his campaign.
Any of the four GOP front-runners would benefit from DeSantis’ endorsement.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leads the race and has the backing of President Donald Trump and a heavy war chest. But even as prominent DeSantis allies have endorsed Donalds, DeSantis himself has refused to do so.
DeSantis on Thursday also appeared to take a veiled attack at Donalds, saying, “What goes into winning it [the race] doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good governor.”
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who frequently makes known that he was appointed by DeSantis, is still hoping for his boss’ support. The governor has also stayed quiet on the candidacy of businessman James Fishback, one of the other high-profile Republicans running.
This story was originally published August 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM.