TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jay Collins is Florida’s lieutenant governor, a former state senator and a decorated Army Green Beret now seeking the Republican nomination for governor in the 2026 election.
Appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2025, Collins entered the governor’s race in January 2026 and is campaigning to succeed the term-limited Republican governor.
The Florida Division of Elections lists Collins as a qualified Republican candidate for governor. He filed for the race Jan. 12 and qualified for the ballot June 11.
Collins faces a Republican field led in public polling by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and also including former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and investment executive James Fishback.
With Florida’s Aug. 18 primary approaching, Collins is attempting to distinguish himself through his military record, service in the DeSantis administration and a campaign focused on affordability, public safety and Florida’s growth.
Who is Jay Collins?
Jay Collins is the 21st lieutenant governor of Florida.
Before entering politics, Collins served more than 23 years in the U.S. military and became a Green Beret in Army Special Forces.
According to his official state biography, Collins suffered combat injuries that ultimately led to the loss of his leg. He later requalified as a deployable Green Beret and continued serving for five additional years after the amputation.
Collins’ campaign says he deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and South America and was wounded during a 2007 deployment.
After retiring from military service, Collins worked with Operation BBQ Relief, overseeing efforts that distributed meals following natural disasters, according to his official state biography.
He later entered Florida politics.
From the Florida Senate to lieutenant governor
Collins was elected to the Florida Senate in 2022 to represent District 14 in the Tampa area.
During his time in the Legislature, Collins chaired agriculture and transportation committees and worked on legislation involving veterans, infrastructure and Florida agriculture.
The governor’s office credits Collins with passing more than 55 pieces of legislation and securing more than $120 million for projects involving the Tampa Bay region, first responders, veterans and educational institutions.
DeSantis appointed Collins lieutenant governor in August 2025.
The appointment elevated Collins into a statewide role and immediately fueled speculation that he could become a candidate to succeed DeSantis.
Five months later, Collins formally entered the 2026 governor’s race.
Why is Jay Collins running for Florida governor?
Collins has framed his campaign around leadership, military service and continuing conservative policies enacted during the DeSantis administration.
His campaign describes him as a candidate seeking to keep Florida “free, safe, and prosperous” and says his priorities include affordability, law enforcement, education, infrastructure and environmental protection.
Collins has also argued that Florida’s next governor must address the pressures created by rapid population and economic growth.
His campaign has increasingly focused on the cost of living, property taxes, insurance and major infrastructure needs.
During campaign appearances, Collins has also raised concerns about the impact of large artificial intelligence data centers on Florida’s water, energy and infrastructure systems.
Where does Jay Collins stand on the issues?
Collins’ campaign platform outlines several broad priorities.
Affordability and property taxes
Collins has made affordability a central campaign issue.
His “Live Florida” initiative focuses on property tax relief, insurance costs, workforce opportunities, education and food security.
Collins has argued that Florida families and seniors are being squeezed by rising costs and has supported major changes to property taxes.
Law enforcement and public safety
Collins is campaigning as a strong supporter of law enforcement.
His platform calls public safety the first responsibility of government and emphasizes support for police and immigration enforcement.
Collins has secured endorsements from law enforcement officials and organizations during the Republican primary campaign.
Immigration and fentanyl
Collins’ campaign supports cooperation with federal immigration authorities and stronger enforcement against fentanyl trafficking networks.
His campaign platform describes border security as a national security issue and says Florida should fully support immigration enforcement.
Education
Collins says Florida schools should emphasize reading, mathematics, workforce readiness and civics.
His campaign also emphasizes parental involvement in education and has criticized proposals from Donalds involving individualized learning plans for all students.
Infrastructure and AI data centers
Florida’s rapid growth has become another major focus of Collins’ campaign.
He has called for investment in roads, bridges, ports, the electric grid and water systems.
Collins has also questioned whether Florida’s infrastructure is prepared for the growing demands of artificial intelligence data centers.
Environment and water
Collins’ campaign says he supports completing Everglades restoration, protecting Florida beaches, securing the state’s long-term water supply and preserving the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Jay Collins and Ron DeSantis
Collins’ political rise is closely connected to DeSantis.
The governor appointed Collins lieutenant governor and has publicly praised his military background and leadership.
But DeSantis has not formally endorsed Collins in the Republican governor’s primary.
Collins has nevertheless positioned himself as a candidate capable of continuing many of the conservative policies enacted during the DeSantis administration.
His campaign website prominently identifies him as “DeSantis-appointed” and says Collins is running to continue the governor’s legacy.
Jay Collins faces Byron Donalds in Republican primary
The biggest obstacle facing Collins is Donalds’ commanding position in the Republican primary.
Donalds entered the race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement and has maintained a substantial lead in public polling and fundraising.
Recent polling has placed Collins in single digits while Donalds has approached or exceeded 50% support in some surveys.
Collins, Renner and Fishback have repeatedly called on Donalds to participate in a Republican gubernatorial debate.
Donalds has rejected those calls, pointing to his polling advantage and arguing he has little reason to elevate lower-polling opponents.
Collins has continued pressing the issue as the primary approaches.
What is next for Jay Collins’ campaign?
Florida’s Republican primary for governor is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Collins is qualified for the ballot and continues campaigning statewide as he attempts to close a substantial polling gap with Donalds.
His military record, role as Florida lieutenant governor and connection to the DeSantis administration give Collins a statewide profile that separates him from several other candidates in the crowded field.
But the central question facing his campaign is whether he can convert that résumé into enough Republican primary support to challenge the Trump-endorsed front-runner.
The Florida Pundit will continue tracking Collins’ campaign, polling, fundraising and major developments as part of our Florida Elections 2026 coverage.
Related Coverage
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- Judge Sets July 21 Hearing in Lawsuit Challenging James Fishback’s Eligibility for Florida Governor’s Race
- Florida Elections 2026: Candidates, Races, Ballot Measures & Election News
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The post Who Is Jay Collins? Florida Lieutenant Governor and 2026 Governor Candidate appeared first on The Florida Pundit.
