Entering the field with a decorated military background and a commitment to public service, Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins threw his hat into the ring for the state's gubernatorial race. Collins, who has served as a close ally to the current governor, Ron DeSantis, is vying for the position DeSantis will have to vacate due to term limits. Collins, who joined the Army Special Forces and served as a Green Beret before entering politics, emphasized his military service as a defining factor in his decision to run: "I’m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites. I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self. That experience shaped how I lead and why I believe public office is a public trust," a post on his Facebook read as confirmed, as noted by NBC Miami.
Reporting first by Fox News, which was later posted to the social media platform X by Collins himself, the Lt. Gov. declared his gubernatorial intentions the day before the annual legislative session began. Having represented a Hillsborough County district in the state Senate in addition to his military service, Collins served in the United States military for over 23 years, mainly as a Green Beret, where he famously lost a leg and continued to serve an additional five years post-amputation. Reflecting on his experience, he mentioned on the campaign trail and in a campaign biography about the time he was homeless during high school, a personal trial he has evidently overcome. This personal narrative might aim to connect with constituents facing their own adversities.
The Republican primary is looking to be crowded, with Collins facing off against Congressman Byron Donalds among others. The latter has already secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, as reported by CFPublic. In response to Collins' announcement, Ryan Smith, chief campaign strategist for Donalds, drew lines in the sand labeling "anyone running against Byron is an anti-Trump RINO and will be soundly defeated in the Republican primary."
Regarding financial muscle, Collins' campaign committee, Quiet Professionals FL, had a reported total of $922,000 in cash on hand as of September 30. In contrast, his primary opponent Donalds boasted nearly $27 million in his Friends of Byron Donalds political committee. As Florida readies for a primary on August 18 with the general election to follow on November 3, the state's political landscape is being cast into the fervent drama that elections often bring. On the other side, the Democratic race fields candidates like Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings and former Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly. A spokesman from the Democratic Governors Association portrayed the Republican contenders as proponents of a "failed status quo," per CFPublic.
While DeSantis has hailed Collins as a "good guy" and a commendable conservative senator, during a recent appearance in Davie he noted, “I don't know what he's going to announce or not announce. You know, my role, obviously, I'm focused on the State of the State (address, which will be given Tuesday) and some other things. If I get involved in the primary, you know, you'll know it. It'll be at a time and place of my choosing, and so we'll see," indicating potential support that could redirect the flow of the race, as reported by the CFPublic.
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