FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner returned to familiar political ground in Flagler County as the race for governor entered its final days on Saturday, using the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner to make a closing argument centered on affordability, leadership, Republican unity and the future of Florida.
Renner, who previously represented Flagler County in the Florida House and later served as House Speaker, acknowledged the primary battle while urging Republicans to unite once it is over.
“We have too much ego and arrogance in politics,” Renner said. “We have too many people that get into office and they self-promote, get rich, have fun, they forget about We the People. We’ve gotta be focused on the mission. The mission of delivering results for people.”
“We have to be united,” he continued. “And if we’re united, there’s nothing that we can’t do.”
Renner said disagreements are expected during a primary, but Republicans must emerge from it together.
“Part of that is criticizing in private and praising in public,” Renner said. “We see this all the time that leads to dysfunction where people are sniping at each other, interparty. You know, we’re fighting amongst — of course, we’re in a primary right now, and that’s to be expected — but that we come out after we’ve fought it out, criticized in private, as one united front.”
Renner’s appearance came in a county where his political career has deep roots. During his introduction, Republicans recalled his election to the Florida House and his later rise to Speaker. Renner, in turn, credited Flagler Republicans for the county’s political transformation.
“You don’t have to go back that far and it’s now where we are, thanks to the hard work that this party has done,” Renner said. “Part of it just starts with doing the job right and showing up and delivering.”
But with the election approaching, Renner also acknowledged problems Republicans still need to solve.
“We have to acknowledge, because it’s easy for us when our party is in power to say everything’s great,” Renner said. “But everything’s not great.”
At the center of his argument was affordability.
“One of the most tragic things on the campaign trail [is] to see a person who’s lived here for 30 and 40 years, contemplating leaving our state because they can no longer afford the taxes, the insurance, the electric bills,” Renner said. “It’s become unaffordable.”
“As Republicans, even when we’re in charge, we have to speak up when we see an issue,” he said. “And let me tell you, affordability is an issue.”
Renner called for property tax reform, lower insurance rates and lower electric rates.
“This can and must be done so we don’t price people out,” he said.
He also framed affordability as a generational issue, saying younger Floridians must continue to have access to the American dream.
“It shouldn’t be the case, but when I was in my 20s, I didn’t make a lot of money. I bought my first house,” Renner said. “And now the average age to buy a home, I believe, is 44 years of age.”
“The American dream cannot be closed to the next generation,” he said.
Renner pointed to his record as House Speaker, including universal school choice, parental rights, the Heartbeat Protection Act, insurance reform, protections for children online and legislation involving public safety and law enforcement.
“We cannot squander when we have supermajorities or any majority in Congress or in the state legislature,” Renner said. “We have to leverage that and make sure we’re delivering what people need.”
He also pledged a focus on public integrity if elected governor.
“I don’t care if you’re a lifelong Republican,” Renner said. “If people are stealing from the taxpayers in elected office, they must be held accountable.”
“We cannot be a party where we say, well, that guy’s a total moral scoundrel, but he’s our scoundrel,” he added. “We have to stand for what’s right.”
Congressman Randy Fine, who also addressed the dinner, told Republicans the stakes extend beyond individual candidates.
“We’re gonna get through these primaries over the next 10 days,” Fine said. “But when we do, when we turn our attention to November, we have to understand that what is on the ballot this November is not a vision for America. What is on the ballot this November is America.”
Fine specifically pointed to the governor’s race among the contests where Democrats would focus their attention.
“They’re gonna come for our gubernatorial nominee,” Fine said. “They’re going to come because Florida is the envy of the country.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly similarly urged Republicans to turn out.
“This midterm election really is the most consequential election of our time,” Staly said.
“We have to support our local, state, national Republican candidates,” he added. “They say a rising tide lifts all boats. We have a lot of boats to lift against a strong headwind.”
