Meet Jay Collins: Florida's Potential New Lieutenant Governor and Future Governor Candidate
Florida is on the verge of appointing a new Lieutenant Governor after Jeanette M. Núñez stepped down to lead Florida International University earlier this year. State Sen. Jay Collins is expected to be Governor Ron DeSantis' choice for the position, putting an end to the speculation surrounding the Tampa Republican and former Green Beret. Collins, originally from Montana, won his Senate seat in 2022 by defeating Democratic state Sen. Janet Cruz. He has been a vocal supporter of DeSantis' agenda and has not shied away from controversies, such as the one involving the Hope Florida Foundation. Collins has shown interest in potentially running for Governor next year, which could lead to a competitive primary race.
If Collins decides to run for Governor, he will face U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans in the state. Collins acknowledges the importance of having multiple candidates in the primary race and believes in providing voters with choices. While Donalds has a significant fundraising advantage, Collins has received praise for his leadership and advocacy for economic freedom, limited government, and energy reliability. Organizations like Americans for Prosperity-Florida have commended Collins for his commitment to serving the needs of Floridians and look forward to working with him in his new role as Lieutenant Governor.