Less than two weeks before Absentee Ballots hit mailboxes, Lt. Governor and gubernatorial candidate Jay Collins scored one of the most coveted law enforcement endorsements in Florida— the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).
The PBA endorsement of Lt. Governor Collins comes days after Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells expressed his support for the Gov. DeSantis-appointed gubernatorial candidate.
"We proudly endorse Jay Collins for Governor," said John Kazanjian, Florida PBA President. "When law enforcement needs a voice at the highest level of state government, Jay Collins has always been there as an ally. He has proven himself a steadfast champion of law enforcement, consistently fighting to protect the men and women who keep our state safe. He is the right leader for Florida, and we are proud to support him as Florida's next Governor."
Lt. Gov. Collins responded to the growing list of law enforcement endorsements, saying that he has always stood "shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement," and that if elected governor, he would "continue making Florida the most pro-law enforcement state in America."
"I am deeply honored to earn the endorsement of the Florida Police Benevolent Association," said Lt. Governor Jay Collins. "There is no greater responsibility than protecting Florida families, and there is no greater honor than earning the trust of the men and women who put on the badge every day to do exactly that. As Governor, I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement, ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely, and continue making Florida the most pro-law enforcement state in America."
The PBA endorsement joins the list of nine Florida sheriffs backing Collins in his gubernatorial bid.
The Sheriffs—Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum, Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford, Santa Rose County Sheriff Bob Johnson, Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Manatee County Sheriff Wells, and Interim Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
