Florida gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner (R) announced the launch of "Parents for Renner" to advance polices for school choice, homeschooling freedom, and other educational opportunities to students through a release this week.
"Florida has led the nation in putting parents first and securing educational freedom," Renner said in a statement. "I'm proud to stand with the parents and families fighting to ensure every child has access to a quality education tailored to their unique needs. These individuals represent the kind of grassroots leadership that will continue moving our state forward in education. By protecting parental rights in our Constitution, we can and will ensure these freedoms are preserved for future generations of Florida families."
According to the release, Parents for Renner will be made up of parents, educators, and community leaders advocating parental choice in education over governmental control through grassroots outreach and forums. The coalition also expressed its support of Renner's proposed "Florida Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment" to protect educational freedom in Florida's Constitution.
The "Florida Parental Rights Constitution Amendment" would allow parents to direct their child's education and upbringing as a fundamental right, including the right to choose between public, private, religious, and home school options, as well as the right to make "reasonable" choices for their child in public schools. The amendment also forbids Florida to infringe on the rights without proper cause, or on the account of child's disability.
“Parents know their children better than anyone else, and they deserve a candidate that will empower families and protect their choices,” Parental Rights Florida State Coordinator Patti Sullivan said. “Our coalition will work to share this message of opportunity while supporting long-term constitutional protections for parental rights against government intrusion.”
Renner is in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, and businessman James Fishback. Renner, the former Florida House Speaker, has also launched other
initiatives during his campaign over the past several months.
The primary is Aug. 18, 2026.
