ODESSA—Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has finally announced his campaign for governor by emphasizing his career military service during an exclusive interview with The Floridian publisher Javier Manjarres, saying that he will "push" and "drive" Rep. Byron Donalds to lead. The bid ends months of speculation by Lt. Gov. Collins, who enters the Republican gubernatorial primary race against Rep. Donalds, businessman James Fishback, and former House Speaker Paul Renner, who are all vying to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis in the November gubernatorial election.
"I didn't dream of being a politician. I wanted to be an Army Green Beret. That's all they ever wanted to be," Collins said. But God's plans are bigger than the office. I had to get shot. I got blown up. I got knocked down, and I fought to get back up. That is the American story. That is who we are as a nation. Grit, determination, and that warrior mentality drive who we are."
Collins, who served for over two decades in the U.S. Army Special Forces, was appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. DeSantis in August 2024. His military career as a Green Beret included earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Injuries from his service also led to Collins' left leg being amputated in 2014.
After retiring from the military, Collins founded a nonprofit organization supporting veterans, first responders, and Floridians in need.
However, his military service wasn't done. Last June, Collins helped evacuate trapped Americans from Israel during escalations between the Jewish State and Iran.
"Our world is so incredibly hard. You see what's going on in Iran and the Middle East. You see what's going on with Venezuela and Maduro," Collins mentioned.
Collins also applauded President Donald Trump for his "peace through strength" approach to foreign affairs. Moreover, Trump's military direction led to the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.
"Peace through strength or walk softly and carry a big stick, however you want to phrase it, being American, being proud of who we are, and standing firm on these issues matters. The world is safer when America leads," Collins said.
With Collins in the field, the race opens up with Rep. Donalds, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, Fishback, an investment CEO who has grown in popularity with some over his hyper-charged rhetoric, and Renner, who led the Florida House from 2022 to 2024.
And as for Rep. Donalds himself, Collins isn't looking to attack the congressman for the governor's job. The calculation also comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis remains neutral in the race, leaving Collins to win the Republican primary nomination essentially on his own, for now.
But could that change? According to several public opinion polls, Donalds is ahead of the pack, and has a mountain of cash behind him in his campaign.
"This isn't a Trump versus DeSantis. This is a competition drives excellence mindset," Collins emphasized. "If Byron is a guy, so be it. But I'm going to push him, and we're going to drive him. I want to give opportunities and options.
And despite the odds, Collins appears to be highly confident in his chances. After all, being a Green Beret and growing up adopted in a poor family, Collins likely knows a thing or two about beating the odds.
"If I end up winning, and I think we have a very clear lane to do so, and I believe in our message and our approach, well then, Byron is going to drive and push me," Collins added.
Collins also promised to run a clean campaign against Rep. Donalds, who has been attacked routinely by James Fishback in recent months, including remarks calling Donalds, who is black, a "slave to donors."
"We're going to do this the right way, because in the end, my focus is on the people of Florida," Collins concluded.
The gubernatorial primary is Aug. 18, with the general election on Nov. 3rd.
