Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is bringing his gubernatorial campaign straight into St. Petersburg’s spotlight on Monday morning, with a press conference that doubles as a status report on a Republican primary that is getting tighter by the week. He is set to speak at 9:30 a.m. at the Urban Stillhouse, where his team is billing the appearance as a campaign update rather than a routine photo op.
Event details and coverage
According to Tampa Bay 28, Collins will take the mic at 9:30 a.m. today at the Urban Stillhouse, and the station plans to stream the event live on its website and on Facebook. The outlet credits reporter Kiley Vaughan on the piece and runs a file photo from Collins’ swearing-in last year to set the scene.
Where this fits in the governor's race
Collins formally jumped into the governor’s race in January, after being appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 12, 2025, as reported by AP News. His candidacy puts him in a Republican primary field that already includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is carrying an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Local implications
Collins’ move up to the lieutenant governor’s office left his state Senate seat empty and triggered a special election earlier this spring, reshuffling the ballot in western Hillsborough County. Coverage of the power-shifting Senate seat fight highlighted how one statewide appointment can quickly ripple down to neighborhood-level representation.
Venue
The Urban Stillhouse, listed at 2232 5th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, frequently serves as a backdrop for private events and weekday appearances, according to its official site. For maps, hours and reservation details, see The Urban StillHouse.
This story will be updated with key moments and reaction from Collins’ press conference once it wraps and local coverage is posted. Expect clips, quotes and follow-up statements to roll out on local news sites and campaign channels shortly after the event.
