TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Newly appointed Lt. Col. Jay Collins has already been asked about the governor’s racial run in 2026.
After former Lieutenant General Janet Nunez resigned in February 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis is now five months without a man in his right arm.
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Now, former state Sen. Jay Collins is taking over as lieutenant governor, but critics have questioned the need for a position in the first place.
“The lieutenant governor’s statutory job is to literally not die,” said former state Sen. Randy Fein at the 2025 legislative meeting.
In the last session, lawmakers considered removing all of the lieutenant governor’s position by saying that if something happens to the governor, the role is to intervene and serve.
However, Jay Collins is now in office and shares it with the 8 on your side.
“We’re going to be part of every community in the state at some point,” Collins said. “We’re going to fight, we’re going to win. We’re going to stand up to Governor DeSantis. I want his last 18 months to be incredible. I want to go out to the high peaks of our state.
With Collins aiming to make his mark statewide, Florida Democrats focused on the conversation and said the role of lieutenant governor is certainly a key figure.
“I’ve always been a supporter of the position of lieutenant governor, and have more voices in the administrative department and are trying to balance checks,” said Nikki Fried, Democrat Chairman of Florida. “The governor’s work is huge and done right. Someone’s partnership that can provide support on the issue and allow for offsetting with the governor. Unfortunately, this governor has chosen someone to bid on the issue, of course.”
Freed isn’t sure Collins has an individual voice in the governor’s office, but Collins pushes it back and says he intends to bring a unique vibe to the role.
“I’m a person on earth,” Collins said. “We went to California and brought someone back. If there’s a storm, we’re on the ground that runs head on. I don’t think anyone has done it, not from the position of lieutenant governor.”
Noise continues to circulate around the governor’s potential for running. Collins says he’s looking at all the indicators for the 2026 race before considering diving in.
“We’re looking at every metric in this race, all the metrics. If we decide to jump, everyone will know when it’s time to do it,” Collins said. “But now we are measuring it, we are making sure it is the best for people and the best for the state.
