Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells announced his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins for Florida governor by praising his leadership on law enforcement in a statement this week.
“I am proud to endorse Lt. Governor Jay Collins for Governor,” Wells said. “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Lt. Governor Collins, Florida has grown to be a national leader in many realms, including law enforcement. Crime is down and quality of life is up because leaders like Jay have fought to keep Florida a law and order state.”
Wells has been the sheriff of since 2017. He previously served as police chief of the Palmetto Police Department (Florida) from 2010 to 2015, and with the Florida Highway Patrol for over two decades.
Manatee County is located alongside the Gulf of America, just south of Tampa.
Lt. Gov. Collins thanked Wells for his endorsement.
“I am proud to have the support and endorsement of the Hernando County Professional Firefighters,” Collins said. “From day one, I have been clear that I will always stand with the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our people. They deserve our full support. As Governor, firefighters and paramedics can do their jobs knowing they will have an unwavering friend in the governor’s office."
Wells is the ninth Florida sheriff backing Collins in his gubernatorial bid, joining 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, and Interim Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
In addition, Collins has been endorsed by the Volusia County Deputies Association and picked up support from the Hernando County Professional Firefighters (International Association of Firefighters Local 3760) this week.
Collins is in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
The primary is Aug. 18.
