Dundee Mayor Joe Garrison announced his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins for Florida governor by praising his conservative leadership and more than two decades of military service through a release this week.
“I am proud to endorse Lt. Governor Jay Collins to be our next governor," Garrison said. "As a strong conservative, Jay Collins is the only candidate I trust to secure Florida’s conservative wins and keep our state on the right path. I am grateful for Jay’s military service. He lost his leg and kept on fighting for us and our values. He is an American hero and a man of integrity. I look forward to continuing to support his campaign.”
Garrison was sworn-in as mayor of Dundee in May. Garrison was also mayor from 1997 to 2003 before ultimately deciding to not run for another term in office.
Along with being mayor, Garrison is a business owner and citrus grower. He also is a firefighter, having previously served with the Dundee Fire Department, and as an EMT.
Dundee is located in Polk County in Central Florida.
Lt. Gov. Collins thanked Garrison for his endorsement.
“I am grateful for Mayor Garrison’s endorsement,” Collins said. “This campaign keeps gaining momentum because Floridians want a warrior who will never stop fighting for them. It’s a blessing to serve 23.5 Floridians each and every day, and I am Day One Ready to continue serving them as Florida’s next governor.”
Lt. Gov. Collins is in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
The primary is Aug. 18.
Collins has also been endorsed by Santa Rose County Sheriff Bob Johnson, Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Interim Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon, the Volusia County Deputies Association, and several others in the race.
