Former Speaker Paul Renner appointed to universities’ Board of Governors
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 3/8/24-House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, speaks during a news conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis on the close of the 2024 Legislative Session Friday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

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The Northeast Florida Republican has a new role.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the selection of former House Speaker Paul Renner to the Board of Governors on Wednesday, where he is poised to help oversee the operation and management of state universities.

Renner joins former Speaker Jose Oliva and former lawmaker Manny Diaz Jr. as former legislators on the board.

DeSantis and Renner had a strong relationship throughout their shared time in politics, with Renner representing the Palm Coast area that was also included in the Congressional district DeSantis served before running for Governor in 2018.

During an interview while he was in the Florida House, Renner said they had an “excellent” relationship, with the Governor’s legislative background helping to bolster that.

“Coming from [Congress], he understands that we’re all in this together,” he told Florida Politics.

Renner served in the Legislature for nine years after winning a special election in 2015. The GOP lawmaker represented part of Northeast Florida.

A Navy veteran and former state prosecutor, Renner is currently of counsel for Nelson Mullins.

In that role, he deals with a wide range of commercial litigation matters, and also offers advice to clients on election law.

There are 17 members on the Board of Governors, with 14 of them appointed by the Florida Governor and confirmed for seven years each. The Chair of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates, the Commissioner of Education, and the Chair of the Florida Student Association fill the other seats.

The appointment effective April 15 must be approved by the Senate.

Material from the Florida Phoenix was used in this post.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


One comment

  • MH/Duuuval

    February 12, 2025 at 8:44 pm

    Renner, in a different era, would be an asset. Not now, or not to a significant degree.

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