Jay Collins is the Republican candidate for the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election. He plans to vote in the Republican primary on August 18, 2026.
Mr. Collins currently serves as lieutenant governor of Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him to the position on August 12, 2025, following the resignation of former Lt. Governor Janet Nunez. Mr. Collins resigned his seat representing Florida’s 14th Senate District to accept the appointment, becoming Florida’s 21st lieutenant governor.
Before joining the DeSantis administration, Mr. Collins served in the Florida State Senate, where he chaired a committee that oversaw agriculture and transportation. His legislative work focused on infrastructure, agriculture, veterans, first responders, and education. Collins said he has helped author or pass more than 55 bills and secured more than $120 million for projects benefiting the Tampa Bay region, veterans, first responders and educational institutions.
Among the issues Collins pushed in Congress were investments in transportation infrastructure, protection of farmland, and a state ban on the production and sale of cultured meat. His political career began when he ran for Senate in the 14th District, but ultimately won without appearing on the general election ballot because there was no opposition.
Collins is a former Army Special Forces veteran who served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2018. He suffered severe combat-related injuries and lost a leg, but continued to serve as a Green Beret for five years after the amputation. He retired after more than 23 years of military service.
Following his military career, Collins worked as chief program officer for Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit organization that provides meals to communities affected by natural disasters. In that role, he helped oversee the distribution of millions of meals and participated in programs supporting veterans and their families.
Born in Scobee, Montana, Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from American Military University in 2010 and a graduate degree from Norwich University in 2012. He is married to Leila Collins, a 20-year veteran of the military. The couple has two sons, Gabe and Colt.
