Governor Candidate Calls for “Return to Faith” at Palm Bay Church Forum

PALM BAY — Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner visited Victory in Christ Jesus Ministries in Palm Bay on Sunday, joining the congregation for morning worship before speaking and answering questions during a church-hosted candidate forum.

The stop was one of several campaign events in Brevard County in recent days, including a fundraising luncheon at the Yellow Dog Café in Malabar on Tuesday and meet-and-greets Monday at the Merritt Island Veterans Memorial Center and Merritt Island Public Library.

“We have to have a return to faith to see another 250 years,” Renner told the crowd, speaking on the legacy of the nation at its 250th anniversary.

His remarks covered several policy priorities, including housing affordability, abortion, data centers, and the preservation of natural resources, an issue he said might "surprise" some conservatives.

“As Christians, we have to hold in sacred trust the air, the water and the land, and leave it better than we found it,” Renner said.

Renner also pledged to seek a ban on abortion pills shipped into Florida from other states, which he said are being used to circumvent the state's six-week abortion law. He also pointed to his efforts opposing Amendment 4 in 2024, saying he was the only gubernatorial candidate in the race who publicly campaigned against the measure, which would have expanded abortion access up until birth.

Although Amendment 4 received 57% approval from voters, it fell short of the 60% threshold required to amend the Florida Constitution. Renner attributed the measure's narrow failure to poor public education and promised to push for embryo development education in Florida public schools.

Renner served as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2022 to 2024. Born in Georgia, he moved to Florida as a child and earned a law degree from the University of Florida. He has served in the Florida Legislature since 2015.

He was accompanied at Victory in Christ Jesus Ministries by his wife, Adriana, with whom he has two children.

The forum was organized by church congregant Ruth Kaufhold, a Salt & Light Council district leader and Brevard County Constitution coach, as part of a series introducing local voters to candidates ahead of the Aug. 18 primary election. The next forum is scheduled for July 21 with additional forums scheduled for Aug. 4 and Aug. 11.

The Republican primary for governor will be held Aug. 18. Renner is one of 12 Republican candidates in the race, with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has received President Donald Trump's endorsement, currently leading the polls.

Follow Christians of Brevard and view more photos from the forum on Facebook:

— Christians of Brevard is a multi-church initiative that seeks to amplify the voices of local churches and ministries for the purpose of encouraging the local body of Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God. Join our Facebook community @ChristiansOfBrevard