TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Lt. Governor Jay Collins announced his campaign for Florida governor on social media Monday, joining a growing Republican field vying to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n
Collins enters the race alongside Rep. Byron Donalds and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, who already launched their campaigns last year. <\/p>\n
\u201cNever look away at an opportunity to make a difference,\u201d Collins said. \u201cWe\u2019re not afraid of the fight. We\u2019re not afraid of this because ultimately, 23 and a half million people deserve good leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins was appointed lieutenant governor last summer after Janet Nunez became Florida International University\u2019s president.<\/p>\n
Trump endorsement shapes early race dynamics<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds early in the campaign. The Donalds campaign released a statement saying, \u201cTrump-endorsed Byron Donalds is the only proven conservative fighter who can unite Republicans, deliver on the President\u2019s America First agenda, crush the Democrats, and make Florida more affordable. Anyone running against Byron is an anti-Trump RINO and will be soundly defeated in the Republican primary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Governor DeSantis has not announced his preferred successor, only stating he is not supporting Donalds or Renner.<\/p>\n
Renner pushed back against DeSantis\u2019 position, saying, \u201cYou can\u2019t separate his legacy with what I\u2019ve done. I was one of the architects of what we call the free state of Florida today. Eventually I\u2019m confident I\u2019ll have his support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Campaign advisors trade barbs<\/p>\n
The Renner campaign fired back at Collins\u2019 entry into the race. \u201cJay Collins is a fine man. But Paul Renner was working hard to build the Free State of Florida brand long before Jay even moved here. Renner is the only candidate with the proven leadership to protect that brand from the special interests and grifters trying to undermine it,\u201d said Brett Doster, Renner for Governor Senior Advisor.<\/p>\n
Early polling and analysis<\/p>\n
Early polls show Donalds leading the expected crowded field. Political analyst Susan MacManus said the race has already attracted national attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s already been identified by some of the national pundits as one of the top five governors\u2019 races to watch next year,\u201d MacManus said.<\/p>\n
MacManus questioned whether endorsements will significantly impact voters, noting \u201cTrump endorsements have had mixed results in some of the, you know, early elections this year preceding 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also noted the late primary date could affect campaign dynamics. \u201cAnd you really don\u2019t know what is going to be the issue that\u2019s going to drive people. Our primaries are late. They\u2019re in August.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democrats David Jolly and Jerry Demings are also running for governor.<\/p>\n
The primary election is scheduled for August 18, with the general election on November 3.<\/p>\n
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