Paul Renner Files to Run for Travis Hutson's House Seat

Jacksonville attorney Paul Renner has filed to run for the Florida House seat vacated by Rep. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast. Hutson is running for the Senate seat vacated by former Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine.

Renner, a Navy veteran, lost to Jay Fant by two votes in the Republican primary back in August for a House seat representing parts of Duval County. Renner had the support of Thrasher and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., against Fant.

Tea party leader Derek Hankerson, who lost to Thrasher in a primary in August, has told the media that he will run for the House seat vacated by Hutson.

Earlier this week, businessman Donald OBrien, who chaired the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, filed to run for the seat.

Retired Navy Capt. Dave Sullivan, the chairman of the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee, has expressed interest in running for the seat which represents all of Flagler County and parts of St. Johns and Volusia counties. The special primary has been set for Jan. 27, 2015, with the special election to be held April 7.