Jay collins of florida
Executive summary
Jarrid "Jay" Collins is a Montana-born Army veteran turned Florida politician who was appointed the state's 21st lieutenant governor in August 2025 and announced a 2026 run for governor in January 2026 [1] [2]. His profile centers on a decorated Special Forces narrative, close alignment with Ron DeSantis-era policies, a rapid rise from state senate to lieutenant governor, and emerging scrutiny over elements of his military resume and some legislative actions [3] [4] [5].
1. Background and rapid rise: from Montana farm to Florida politics
Born in Scobey, Montana, Collins moved to Florida in 2018, won election to the Florida Senate in 2022 representing District 14, and was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2025 after Jeanette Nuñez resigned, a promotion that required him to resign his senate seat [1] [6] [7].
2. Military story that defines his brand
Collins presents himself as a highly decorated Army Special Forces Green Beret and veteran of deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and South America, and his campaign and official biographies recount battlefield injuries including the loss of a leg and extraordinary anecdotes such as performing surgery on himself in combat — claims repeated on his campaign site and the governor’s office page [8] [9] [10].
3. Political record and alignment with DeSantis-era agenda
In the Florida Senate Collins advanced conservative priorities, serving as chairman on committees including Agriculture and Transportation, claiming authorship of more than 40–55 bills and securing over $120 million for regional projects and veterans causes, and he positioned himself as a staunch ally of Governor DeSantis on law enforcement, education and culture-war items [3] [10] [6].
4. Controversies and public questions
Collins has drawn controversy for an amendment authorizing flying the Confederate flag that he later said was written by mistake, scrutiny over nonprofit spending tied to political messaging, and recent reporting that he sidestepped questions about whether his service tied him to elite units such as Delta Force — critiques that have generated reporting and pushback from opponents and outlets such as The Floridian [1] [6] [5].
5. Governor’s race positioning, endorsements and opponents
Announcing his campaign for governor on January 12, 2026, Collins seeks to cast himself as a conservative successor to DeSantis, courting the governor’s praise though not a formal endorsement, and enters a crowded Republican primary that includes figures backed by national names like former President Trump and established statewide actors—an uphill fundraising and name-recognition battle despite existing political committees and ad support from groups like “Florida Fighters” [2] [4] [11].
6. What the record shows and what remains unsettled
Public sources reliably show Collins’ offices held, campaign launch and self-described military and legislative accomplishments, but independent verification of certain battlefield anecdotes, the precise scope of some legislative claims, and whether high-profile endorsements will materialize is not present in the reporting reviewed; outlets note disputes and unanswered questions without definitive disproof or confirmation [3] [5] [4].