Former House Speaker Paul Renner announced a team made up of veterans and active servicemen who will help him try to win the Governor’s race. [1]
The Statewide Veterans Coalition will recruit veteran leaders in each county to assist with policy ideas and voter turnout, Renner said in a press release.
“During my tenure as Speaker of the House, we made the Free State of Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation,” Renner said in a statement.
“As a Navy veteran who served in two combat theaters, I understand firsthand the sacrifice that our warriors and their families make to keep us safe and free. We must make sure they have access to the healthcare, education, and business opportunities they need to be successful during and after service.”
Leading the coalition will be Rep. Patt Maney[2] of Okaloosa County, who is a combat-wounded Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient and 2018 inductee to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame, according to the press release.
“Paul Renner[3] is the trusted leader our state needs as our next Governor. As a fellow veteran, he understands how we can best support service members and their families during and after their time in uniform,” Maney said in a statement.
“When we served together in the Florida House, Paul delivered policies that benefit our veterans and their spouses, such as the expansion of mental health services, job training, mentorship, entrepreneurship opportunities, and eliminating barriers to occupational licensing to ease employability concerns. As Governor, Paul will commit our state to the unwavering support of our military and its veterans.”
Others in the coalition include:
— K. Bean, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Ronald Birchall, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired.
— Richard Bishop, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Christopher De Ruyter, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired.
— William Dudley, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired.
— Dennis Freytes, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired, 2016 inductee to the FL Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
— Bruce Garrott, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Curt Perkins, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Lewis Preddy, Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Ralph Dale Rogers, Tech Sergeant, U.S. Air Force.
— Samuel Royer, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps.
— Jeremiah Schwarz, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— Carl Schwenker III, Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired.
— James Randall Stapleford, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired.
A new poll out Thursday showed[4] Renner was a distant third to win the GOP nomination behind the leader, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds[5], although a larger number of voters were still undecided.
The St. Pete Polls survey said Donalds would win more than 39% of the vote in a Republican Primary against Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who has less than 4% support, and Renner, who polled at less than 3%. But the poll also found 54% of voters were unsure who to pick.[6][7]
The survey had a 3-percentage-point margin of error.
References
- ^ Paul Renner (voterenner.com)
- ^ Patt Maney (www.flhouse.gov)
- ^ Paul Renner (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ A new poll out Thursday showed (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Byron Donalds (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ St. Pete Polls (stpetepolls.org)
- ^ Jay Collins (floridapolitics.com)