Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 gubernatorial race. A former state senator and Green Beret with over two decades of military service, Collins looks to capitalize on his experience in both fields to guide the Sunshine State. Announcing his candidacy, Collins voiced a desire to translate his battlefield-honed leadership skills to the state's top office. "I served more than 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences and service comes before self," Collins said in remarks reported by WFTV.
Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in August 2022 after his predecessor vacated the position, Collins has been quick to emphasize the gravity and authenticity of his leadership approach. He officially becomes the 34th contender in what's shaping up to be a heated race, with state records confirming his entry this week, as reported by WESH. Collins isn't alone in the Republican primary. He joins the likes of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. An interesting dynamic develops as Governor DeSantis, without formally endorsing a candidate, stated that Collins is "a good guy" and commended his "great conservative record in the Florida Senate."
The Republican field is crowded, indeed. Paul Renner, former Florida House Speaker, also seeks the Republican nomination and presents himself as a more action-oriented candidate. Renner steers his campaign towards voters reportedly seeking "less talk, more action" and takes aim at Donalds for positing views he sees as "out of sync with Republican voters," as detailed by WESH. His positioning in the race signifies an attempt to cut through the political cacophony with a platform grounded in tangible results.
On the Democratic side, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has not only tossed his name into the hat but also brought into focus the historical weight of this electoral contest. “This is not a left or right moment. This is a right or wrong moment in our history,” Demings eloquently pointed out in a December campaign speech, a sentiment captured by WESH. With a pledge to bolster his coffers in a battle forecasted to be notably costly, the Demings campaign aims to navigate through an expansive pool of candidates, each jostling for the mantle of governor as the political tides churn vigorously.
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