Florida governor hopefuls react to DeSantis ending vaccine requirements

Kirby Wilson, Tampa Bay Times on Sep 4, 2025

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Ron DeSantis’ potential Republican gubernatorial successors seem to be on board with his administration’s plan to end all Florida vaccination requirements.

In statements Thursday, Republican former speaker of the state House Paul Renner and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the leading Republicans in the 2026 governor’s race, backed the state’s proposal.

“I do think it’s a step in the right direction,” Donalds said in a radio interview Thursday. “Medical freedom as we go forward is important.”

In an X post, Donalds said parents “should be empowered to make vaccination decisions for their children.”

Renner noted that he supported COVID vaccine mandates as Florida House speaker.

“Parents should not be forced to have their children take a vaccine that they think is unsafe,” Renner said. “However, we should have safe and effective vaccines that save lives.”

The candidates did not go as far as those in the DeSantis administration have gone to back the move. Surgeon general Joseph Ladapo, who’s set to lead the effort to get school vaccine mandates banned, likened them to “slavery.” (It’s unclear whether Ladapo’s push will pass muster in the Florida Legislature, which officially convenes in January.)

DeSantis, who’s in his second term, must leave office in January 2027 because of term limits. He has declined to endorse both Donalds and Renner. President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds in February.

David Jolly, the leading Democrat in the race, blasted the state’s move on vaccines. In a statement Wednesday, the former U.S. representative from Pinellas called for Ladapo to be fired. On Thursday, he criticized Donalds for backing DeSantis.

“He’s risking lives right now by validating DeSantis and Ladapo because he’s too worried about his own GOP primary,” Jolly posted to X. “He’s weak.”

Rick Scott, DeSantis’ immediate predecessor, also criticized the proposal, saying it is unnecessary. He noted that Florida already allows families to opt out for religious reasons.

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