TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins announced he has joined the crowded Republican field to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites. I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self. That experience shaped how I lead and why I believe public office is a public trust,” he wrote in a post on X.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites. I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self. That experience shaped\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jay Collins (@JayCollinsFL) January 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n He now joins a crowded Republican field that includes\u00a0Florida House Speaker\u00a0Paul Renner<\/a>, investor\u00a0James Fishback<\/a>\u00a0and Congressman\u00a0Byron Donalds<\/a>. There are two Democrats currently in the race as well,\u00a0Orange County Mayor\u00a0Jerry Demings<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0former Republican congressman\u00a0David Jolly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although he recently announced his entry into the race, the campaign for Donalds was quick to react.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds is the only proven conservative fighter who can unite Republicans, deliver on the President’s 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,” Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds for Governor Campaign Ryan Smith said.<\/p>\n Collins was appointed as\u00a0lieutenant governor in August 2025. | Read story<\/a><\/p>\n He replaced Jeanette Nunez, who left office to become president of Florida International University.<\/p>\n Collins was first elected to office in November 2022 to represent Tampa and East Hillsborough County, defeating incumbent Democrat Janet Cruz.<\/p>\n In August,\u00a0DeSantis called him the “Chuck Norris of Florida politics,” drawing a round of applause. He was referencing the action film star who is also famous for his work in martial arts.<\/p>\n In the Florida Legislature, Collins was chairman of the Senate’s transportation committee, vice chair of the military and veterans affairs, space, and domestic security\u00a0committee, has served on multiple appropriations committee and was on the pre-K education and ethics and elections committees.<\/p>\n Collins served in the Army Special Forces, earning the Purple Heart for his service in combat during his 23-year military career. He is a former Green Beret and had a leg amputated years after sustaining a serious injury but re-qualified to return to active duty.<\/p>\n After retiring from the military, Collins founded a nonprofit organization supporting veterans, first responders and Floridians in need.<\/p>\n DeSantis cannot seek reelection because of term limits.<\/p>\n This is a breaking news story. Stay with Spectrum News on-air, online and on the Spectrum News<\/a> app for updates.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n