In a video posted on social media, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins for Florida governor by praising his military service.
In his endorsement, Chitwood praised Lt. Gov. Collins' service as a Green Beret, which included tours in Afghanistan and Iraq following the Sept. 11 attacks. Collins served for over two decades as a Green Beret and earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Injuries from his service also led to Lt. Gov. Collins' left leg being amputated in 2014.
"He was shot in battle and performed surgery for himself in a firefight, even after he lost his leg in battlefield injuries," Chitwood said. "Fitted with an artificial leg, he requalified as a Green Beret and served four more years on active duty. That says a lot about Jay Collins and his character, which is second to none.”
Volusia County is on the east coast of Central Florida. Lt. Gov. Collins thanked Chitwood for his endorsement in a post.
"It's an honor to be endorsed by Volusia County @SheriffChitwood. Sheriff Chitwood and the men and women of the @VolusiaSheriff Office do incredible work to keep our communities safe," Collins wrote on social media. "I always have and always will support our deputies who put their lives on the line each and every day in service for fellow Floridians. The men and women behind the badge deserve nothing less than our full support. That is exactly what they will get when I am governor."
After retiring from the military, Collins founded a nonprofit organization assisting veterans, first responders, and Floridians in need.
"His career of service says a lot about who he is, his committed to the service above self and leaving this state a better place than we found it. It's exactly what we need in our next governor," Chitwood highlighted.
Collins is in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback. The GOP primary is Aug 18.
"Leading the third-largest state in the nation is no small task. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is day one ready, and he's the only candidate I trust that can get the job done," Chitwood concluded.
