As the August 18 primary election approaches, two leading Republican candidates for governor are touting endorsements from powerful interest groups. The Florida Fraternal Order of Police has thrown its support behind former House Speaker Paul Renner, citing his prosecutorial background and commitment to public safety. Meanwhile, Gun Owners of America has endorsed U.S. Representative Byron Donalds for his strong stance on Second Amendment rights.
Corey Logan, President of the Florida Fraternal Order of Police, explained that Renner stands out as the clear choice for the endorsement. According to Logan, Renner has consistently shown that law and order serves as the foundation for successful communities. The FOP president stated that Renner has earned the trust of Florida law enforcement by fighting for policies that strengthen public safety, protect officers, support victims, and uphold the rule of law. Renner, a Palm Coast resident, expressed his honor at receiving the endorsement, which he considers among the most significant in the race. He pledged to continue backing law enforcement as governor and to ensure officers receive the support they deserve. The endorsement arrives as Renner faces fundraising challenges, having raised just over $100,000 in April and May while trailing in polls. However, Renner maintains that informal straw polls among close observers of the race favor him.
Donalds has accumulated multiple national endorsements, with Gun Owners of America's backing being the most recent. The group praised Donalds as a champion for the Second Amendment in Congress who has fought against gun control measures. Former state Representative Jamie Grant, who served alongside Donalds in the legislature, highlighted his colleague's record on gun rights. During the heated debate following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, Donalds was one of very few Republicans who voted against what Grant called the most intense and emotional gun control bill in Florida's modern history. Grant noted that despite intense pressure from Republican leadership to pass legislation, Donalds held firm in his opposition while still expressing commitment to school safety.
The legislation in question was the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which raised the minimum age for rifle purchases to 21, established a three-day waiting period for gun purchases, and banned bump stocks. The law also created a school guardian program that has since been expanded. Donalds' uncompromising stance on this measure distinguishes him from other candidates in the race, according to Grant, who argued that his former colleague successfully balanced school safety concerns with protection of individual liberties.