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Jay Collins, the current lieutenant governor of Florida and a key ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, officially announced his candidacy for the governorship of the state, in a Republican contest that promises to be marked by internal rivalries and high-profile political figures.
The announcement positions Collins as one of the most prominent figures looking to succeed DeSantis, who will finish his second term in January 2027 and, by law, cannot run again.
An announcement emphasizing leadership, service, and accountability
The lieutenant governor chose social media to make his decision public.
In a message shared on Facebook and later on X, Collins presented a vision of leadership inspired by his lengthy military career:
“I am running for governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not with clever phrases”, he wrote.
"I served for more than 23 years in the United States Armed Forces, primarily as a Green Beret, where accountability is genuine, decisions have consequences, and service comes before personal interests," he added.
With that message, Collins made it clear that his campaign will revolve around values such as discipline, public service, and commitment to conservative principles.
The decision, however, not only represents a personal aspiration but also a political move with implications for the balance of power within the state and national Republican Party.
From Soldier to Lieutenant Governor: The Inspiring Journey of Jay Collins
Born in Montana, Collins has openly talked about his youth marked by adversity, including a period of homelessness during his school years.
Despite these challenges, he achieved his dream of becoming a member of the Army Special Forces (Green Berets). In 2014, he suffered the amputation of a leg due to a combat injury, but his career did not end there.
He was re-certified and served five additional years as a Green Beret before retiring for good.
After his military retirement, he founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and underserved communities in Florida, enhancing his profile as a public servant before entering formal politics.
Political rise under DeSantis's wing
Collins began his political career in 2022 when he was elected state senator for Tampa and the eastern part of Hillsborough County, defeating the Democrat Janet Cruz.
His time in the Senate was meteoric: he chaired the Transportation Committee, served as vice chair on key committees such as Military Affairs and National Security, and promoted a strongly conservative legislative agenda.
Among its notable initiatives is its support for carrying firearms without the need for state permits, as well as its backing of anti-abortion laws and policies aimed at altering the teaching of subjects such as communism in schools.
In August 2025, Governor DeSantis appointed him as the Lieutenant Governor of Florida, replacing Jeanette Núñez, who was named president of Florida International University (FIU).
Although the position is mainly ceremonial, the appointment was interpreted as a sign of confidence and a possible prelude to his succession.
“Jay, a warrior wounded in combat who served for 23 years as a Green Beret, embodies the spirit of Florida,” DeSantis wrote, adding that “Jay is an unwavering fighter for conservative values.”
Internal tensions in the Republican Party
Collins' path to the governorship will not be easy. His candidacy comes at a time of deep internal division within the Florida Republican Party, where competition has intensified between factions loyal to DeSantis and those aligned with President Donald Trump.
Trump has publicly endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds, another Republican candidate for the position.
Collins' entrance into the race indirectly reignites the rivalry between DeSantis and Trump, who competed for the presidential nomination in 2024.
In recent statements, DeSantis referred to Collins as a "good guy," but he avoided pledging his support.
“If I get involved in the primaries, they will know”, the governor stated.
The Republican contest also includes figures such as former Speaker of the House Paul Renner, businessman James Fishback, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett, and activist Bobby Williams, among others.
In total, it is estimated that more than a dozen candidates will compete in the primaries on August 18, 2026.
Electoral Landscape: Between Legacy and Ambition
Collins enters the race with a distinctive profile: a decorated military veteran, an emerging politician with legislative experience, and a lieutenant governor who embodies the continuity of DeSantis's agenda.
Another factor in their favor is the narrative of personal overcoming, which could resonate with broad sectors of the electorate.
However, DeSantis' support has not been explicit, and his main rival - Byron Donalds - has the backing of the most influential leader of the Republican Party at the national level.
This fracture could define not only the Republican primary but also the party's ability to maintain control of the governorship in Florida, a state that, although predominantly red since 1990, could be shaken by internal polarization.
On the Democratic side, the announced candidates so far are Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings and former Congressman David Jolly, who left the Republican Party after distancing himself from its ideological line.
Both will seek to capitalize on the divisions of the other side of the political spectrum in anticipation of the general elections on November 3, 2026.
With his announcement, Jay Collins has ignited a spark in the already tense political dynamic of the state. His candidacy aims not only to inherit DeSantis's legacy but also to establish himself as a figure capable of unifying the conservative vote under a leadership shaped—by his own words—by the toughest trials of military service and personal life.
In his most recent statements, Collins reiterated: "Public office is an act of public trust. And that trust is earned, not inherited."
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