Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.2%
41.1%
18.9%
Republican
Jay Collins
Republican candidate for Governor in Florida
Florida Republican Governor nominee?
$63.4M
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Jay Collins is trading at 0% to win the Florida Republican Governor nominee? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleLieutenant Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age50 years old (Apr 28, 1976)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundPolitician
EducationAmerican Military University — B.S. (Health Sciences / pre-medicine)
Notable personal detailsJarrid "Jay" Collins is an American politician and U.S. Army Special Forces veteran who served as a Republican member of the Florida Senate for District 14 from 2022 until resigning on August 12, 2025. He was appointed Florida’s 21st lieutenant governor on August 12, 2025. After retiring from the Army following more than two decades of service, he worked as a nonprofit executive with Operation BBQ Relief and later entered Florida politics.
SourcesShowHide
flsenate.govapnews.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgclubforgrowthfoundation.orghelpflvets.orgjayforflorida.comcommons.wikimedia.orglegalclarity.orges.wikipedia.orgdos.fl.govgovinfo.govivoterguide.comnews4jax.comnewspressnow.combaynews9.comflgov.comclickorlando.comfloridaphoenix.comfloridianpress.comlifesitenews.comcltampa.comfloridapolitics.comwcjb.comguns.comflvoicenews.comwptv.compolitico.commiamiherald.commiamitimesonline.comwtsp.comwlrn.orgwusf.orgpbs.orgdetroitnews.comfacebook.comx.comballotready.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgfec.govcongress.govcollins.senate.govncsl.orghistory.house.govrickscott.senate.govaging.senate.govhsgac.senate.govcha.house.govcapito.senate.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Jay Collins supports tax relief and pro-business tax changes, emphasizing property tax relief and measures intended to lower taxes for businesses. He has defended proposals to eliminate or reduce property taxes and highlighted the importance of improving Florida’s business climate and economy.
Healthcare
Jay Collins has highlighted parental rights, vaccine transparency/choice, and related public-health messaging in his public role as Florida lieutenant governor and on the campaign trail, but I did not find clear policy statements on major healthcare-system proposals (e.g., Medicaid expansion, ACA, Medicare for All, or specific market-based reforms).
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Immigration & Border
Jay Collins supports aggressive immigration enforcement and coordinated state-federal operations to identify, detain, and deport undocumented immigrants. He has traveled to assist in extradition of an undocumented truck driver and has promoted and participated in large-scale enforcement operations that led to hundreds of deportations. Collins has pledged to continue building on Governor DeSantis’s enforcement-focused immigration agenda in office and in campaign activity.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Jay Collins describes himself as pro-life, has opposed Florida Amendment 4 which would have enshrined broad abortion rights, and has supported Florida’s heartbeat/6‑week restrictions while backing pro-life policies. His public statements emphasize restricting abortion access and protecting unborn children.
Climate & Energy
Jay Collins sponsored legislation that removes references to greenhouse gas reduction from state energy law, bans certain offshore wind development, advances protections for natural gas appliances, and prioritizes grid reliability and expanded use of nuclear and hydrogen technologies. His legislative actions emphasize protecting fossil-fuel infrastructure and limiting wind development while studying advanced nuclear and hydrogen options.
Public Safety & Guns
Jay Collins has sponsored and publicly promoted legislation that removes concealed-carry permitting requirements (permitless or “constitutional” carry) and has backed efforts to lower the minimum firearm purchase age to 18. He frames these actions as restoring Second Amendment rights and has supported rollbacks of post-Parkland gun restrictions while emphasizing support for law enforcement and public safety measures paired with those changes.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 18, 2026
Jay Collins is in the news because he is running in Florida’s crowded Republican governor primary ahead of the Aug. 18 vote. He has been campaigning across the state, stressing his military background and policy positions, while also saying he is staying in the race despite trailing Byron Donalds in fundraising and polls. Collins has also been involved in primary drama, including a challenge to rival James Fishback’s ballot eligibility and a public clash over AI policy.
flsenate.gov+48
Articles
TTCPalm27 days ago
Governor candidate Jay Collins courts GOP voters in Lakeland stop
Neutral
BNBreitbart News Network2 months ago
Jay Collins Accused of Hypocrisy After Attacking Byron Donalds on Pro-AI Stance
Negative
WEWashington Examiner4 months ago
Jay Collins denies '100% bulls***' rumor of exiting race for Florida governor
Negative
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution2 days ago
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida’s state primary
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Jay Collins currently averages 9.2%, ranking third in this race, 9.7 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 9.2%Position: thirdMargin: -9.7 ptsLatest poll: 15.6% (Aug 11 - 11)Polls included: 38
Average recalculated from polls through Aug 11 - 11.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising