Phil Ammann
Republican Paul Renner overpowered the competition to win the special Republican primary for House District 24.
Renner received more than 70 percent of the 8,500 votes cast. Coming in second was Ron Sanchez with 17 percent, followed by Danielle Anderson with 12 percent.
Tonight’s win is in marked contrast to Renner’s primary bid for House District 15 last August, where he lost to now-state Rep. Jay Fant by just two votes.
“It has been a great privilege to meet so many members of our community during this campaign,” Renner said in his acceptance speech. “One thing is clear: Republican voters are looking for conservative leadership and that is what I intend to provide if elected on April 7, in the general election.”
Renner then thanked his fellow Republican candidates, Sanchez and Anderson.
“A primary campaign is always a family affair and they both ran good, strong campaigns centered on ideas that we all share,” he said. “Now that the primary is over, we have the opportunity to join together and promote those ideas in a united campaign against our general election opponent.
“As we approach the general election, we will continue to share ideas with voters on how we can best promote economic growth and jobs, expand opportunity for everyone, and maintain and improve our great quality of life.”
Renner, an attorney and Jacksonville native, will move to the general election to replace state Rep. Travis Hutson, who vacated the District 24 seat to run for the Senate District 6 special election. Hutson also won his special primary this evening.
Renner will now face Democrat Adam Morley on April 7. District 24 is a heavily Republican area that includes Flagler County and parts of St. Johns and Volusia counties.
