Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods announced his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins for Florida governor by praising his commitment to law and order in a statement this week.
“As the Sheriff of Marion County, I have spent my career protecting my community and standing up for law and order,” Woods said. “Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins is a decorated Green Beret who has served our nation with courage. He’s a proven leader who now serves alongside Governor DeSantis with the same unwavering commitment. Jay understands the challenges facing our state, he knows how to address them, and he has the courage to execute even when it’s hard. I’m proud to endorse Jay Collins for Governor of Florida. He has my full support."
Woods has been sheriff of Marion County since 2016. He was re-elected as sheriff in 2020 and 2024.
Marion County is in North Central Florida about 90 miles from Orlando. Woods holds 36 years of law enforcement experience, including 26 with Marion County, where he introduced German Shorthaired Pointers to the county's School Resource Officer Division to help detect firearms in schools and deter gun violence.
Woods later expanded his K-9 unit to help secure the Marion County Jail and courthouse.
Lt. Gov. Collins thanked Woods for his endorsement.
“I am honored to have Sheriff Billy Woods’ endorsement as I run to be the next governor of Florida,” Collins said. "Sheriff Woods is a champion for law enforcement not just in Marion County, but across the state. I look forward to partnering with him as the next governor to ensure that all law enforcement officers have the resources they need to thrive and protect our citizens.”
Woods is the eighth Florida sheriff to back Lt. Gov. Collins for governor. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum endorsed Collins last week, joining 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 in support.
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.
