Jay Collins

❧

Wikipedia

Jay Collins
Collins in 2025
21st Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 12, 2025
GovernorRon DeSantis
Preceded byJeanette Nuñez
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 14th district
In office
November 8, 2022 – August 12, 2025
Preceded byJanet Cruz
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
Born
Jarrid Collins

(1976-04-28) April 28, 1976 (age 49)
Scobey, Montana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLayla Collins
Children2
EducationAmerican Military University (BS)
Norwich University (MS)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1995–2018
RankFirst sergeant
UnitU.S. Army Special Forces
AwardsLegion of Merit
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal

Jarrid "Jay" Collins (born April 28, 1976)[1] is an American politician and Army veteran who has served as the 21st lieutenant governor of Florida since August 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2022 until his resignation in 2025.

Born and raised in Montana, Collins served in Army Special Forces for over 20 years. In 2019, he moved to Florida to raise his family and was elected to the Florida Senate in 2022. During his tenure in the state senate, he was a staunch ally of Governor Ron DeSantis. In August 2025, he was appointed as lieutenant governor, succeeding Jeanette Nuñez.

Early life, education, and military service

Collins was born in Scobey, Montana. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and pre-medicine from American Military University, and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Norwich University.[2][3]

Collins serving in the U.S. Army

Collins served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2018, including as member of the United States Army Special Forces. During his career, he was assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command, Special Warfare Medical Group, 7th Special Forces Group, and 1st Special Forces Group.[4]

As a Green Beret medic, Collins deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and twice to South America. During his 2007 Afghanistan deployment, he was shot in the arm and helped perform surgery on himself in the field of battle. A few months later, he sustained injuries that would eventually lead to the amputation of his leg years later. Following his amputation, Collins re-qualified as a fully deployable Green Beret and served over five more years on active duty. He retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of first sergeant.[5]

His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and numerous other personal, unit, and service awards. He is also a recipient of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Major General John K. Singlaub/Jedburgh Award.[6][7]

Political career

2022 U.S House campaigns

In July 2021, Collins announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress, challenging incumbent Democratic congresswoman Kathy Castor for Florida's 14th congressional district.[8] In May 2022, he withdrew from the race and re-filed his campaign to run in the newly drawn 15th congressional district.[9] After Laurel Lee announced her candidacy for the 15th district, Collins dropped out of the race for Congress and announced his candidacy for state senate in June 2022.[10]

Florida Senate (2022–2025)

After announcing his candidacy for Florida's 14th Senate district, Collins received the endorsement of Governor Ron DeSantis and was unopposed in the Republican primary.[10][11][12] In November 2022, Collins was elected to the Florida Senate after defeating incumbent Democratic state senator Janet Cruz.[13] His district encompassed areas of downtown Tampa, south Tampa, MacDill AFB, and northwestern Hillsborough County.

In 2023, Collins sponsored a senate bill to allow the permitless carry of concealed firearms in Florida.[14][15] The bill was signed into law by Governor DeSantis.[14][15]

In March 2023, Collins introduced an amendment to authorize the flying of the Confederate flag on public buildings and properties in Florida.[16] Collins later released a statement denying he was a "confederate sympathizer" and claimed he filed the amendment by mistake.[16] That same month, Collins introduced a bill to ban flying the Pride flag from government buildings in Florida.[17]

In 2023, Collins voted for the Heartbeat Protection Act; a six-week abortion ban in Florida.[18][19][20]

In 2024, Collins introduced a bill to allow telepharmacy in Florida and loosen regulations on pharmacist's ability to dispense prescription drugs, but it failed to pass in committee.[14][21] That same year, Collins publicly opposed the 2024 Florida Amendment 4 during the 2024 Florida elections.[22] In November 2024, the Floridian Press reported that Collins was considered as a possible replacement for outgoing U.S. senator Marco Rubio, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as next United States Secretary of State.[23]

In March 2025, Collins sponsored SB 918, which would change child labor laws to allow 14-17 year-olds to work more than eight hours a day on school nights and over 30 hours a week while school is in session, without mandated breaks.[24]

In 2025, Collins authored and led the effort to pass the "Pam Rock Act"; a bill requiring owners of "dangerous dogs" to register, microchip, spay/neuter their animals, and carry US$100,000 in liability insurance.[25] The bill also mandates that a dog will be euthanized if it leaves a bite mark on a human scoring five or higher on the Dunbar bite scale and allows dogs voluntarily given to the state to be euthanized.[25] It was signed into law by Governor DeSantis in May 2025.[25]

Hope Florida scandal

During the Hope Florida scandal, Collins has been described as a "vocal advocate" for Hope Florida, saying: "The money was being appropriated and used for the right reasons."[26] In May 2025, Collins spoke alongside Governor DeSantis to defend the "great accomplishments of Hope Florida".[27] In August 2025, Collins praised Hope Florida during his speech at a Republican Party of Florida forum.[28]

Lieutenant governor of Florida (2025–present)

Collins being sworn in by Justice Jamie Grosshans in August 2025

Press reports predicted Collins as a potential choice for lieutenant governor of Florida after the resignation of Jeanette Nuñez.[29][30][28]

Collins with Governor Ron DeSantis, Sheriff Chad Chronister, and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies, 2025

On August 12, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Collins as the 21st lieutenant governor of Florida.[31]

On August 20, 2025, Florida Politics published leaked text messages between Collins and Representative Alex Andrade revealing they believe Ron DeSantis has autism and has concealed the disorder from the public.[32][33]

Personal life

In 2019, Collins and his family moved to Florida, originally settling in Pasco County.[34] He is married to his wife, Layla; they have two sons and live in Tampa.[34] Layla was an unsuccessful candidate for Hillsborough County school board in 2024, and was appointed to the Florida Board of Education by Governor DeSantis in July 2025.[35][36]

References

  1. ↑ "Senator Jay Collins". flsenate.gov.
  2. ↑ "Jay Collins". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  3. ↑ "BREAKING BREAD ACROSS AMERICA". DVIDS. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Janet Cruz heads for tight Senate race against governor-endorsed Jay Collins". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Green Beret PAC - Jay Collins".
  6. ↑ https://operationbbqrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Jarrid-Collins-Bio-Updated.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  7. ↑ "MG Singlaub Award – SPECIAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATION".
  8. ↑ Hayes, Kelly (July 20, 2021). "Kathy Castor draws Republican challenger Jay Collins". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ Hayes, Kelly (May 3, 2022). "Jay Collins shifts campaign to GOP-leaning CD 15". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (June 15, 2022). "Jay Collins shifts to challenge Janet Cruz, with Ron DeSantis' support". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Jay Collins". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Candidate Listing for 2022 General Election". Florida Department of State. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Cascio, Josh (November 10, 2022). "Republican Jay Collins eager to get to work after defeating longtime state senator Janet Cruz". FOX 13 News. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Irwin Taylor, Janelle (May 29, 2025). "No. 23 on the list of Tampa Bay's Most Powerful Politicians: Jay Collins". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "CS/SB 150: Public Safety". Florida Senate. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Roche, Darragh (March 16, 2023). "Republican Lawmaker Says He Filed Confederate Flag Legislation 'In Error'". Newsweek. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ Scouten, Ted (March 3, 2023). "Proposed law would ban flying LGBT flags from government buildings". CBS News. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Jay Collins". choicetracker.org. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ Bell, Lynda (August 15, 2025). "Pro-Life Governor Ron Desantis selects Former Green Beret Jay Collins as his New Lieutenant Governor". National Right to Life Committee. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ "SB 300: Pregnancy and Parenting Support". Florida Senate. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  21. ↑ "SB 444: Pharmacy". Florida Senate. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  22. ↑ Bakich, Jackson (September 9, 2024). "Pro-Life Collins Says 'There are No Moral Victories in Life,' Staunchly Opposes Amendment 4 Abortion Initiative". Floridian Press. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  23. ↑ Caputo, Liv (November 18, 2024). "Fmr. Green Beret Jay Collins Emerges as Possible Candidate to Replace Rubio". The Floridian. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Florida bill to allow teens to work overnight hours on school days moves forward". CBS Miami. March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 Bridges, C. A. (May 19, 2025). "'Dangerous dog' owners in Florida now have to buy insurance. What penalties do they face?". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  26. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (May 27, 2025). "Jay Collins: Using Hope Florida settlement money for anti-pot campaign was legit". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  27. ↑ Manjarres, Javier (May 21, 2025). "JUICE?—5.21.2025—JUST IN: Senator Jay Collins Considering 2026 run for Governor—Miami's Banana Republic Politics—Donalds, Pizzo, DeSantis—Much More". Floridian Press. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  28. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (August 2, 2025). "Amid LG chatter and 2026 speculation, Jay Collins praises Hope Florida at GOP event". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  29. ↑ Perry, Mitch (May 14, 2025). "Jay Collins says he's open to being appointed lieutenant governor". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  30. ↑ Perry, Mitch (August 4, 2025). "Jay Collins says the Florida Republican race for governor needs 'competition'". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  31. ↑ Rohrer, Gray; Bridges, C.A. (August 12, 2025). "Gov. Ron DeSantis taps Jay Collins to be lieutenant governor of Florida". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  32. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (August 20, 2025). "Text exchange shows Jay Collins agreeing Ron DeSantis has Asperger's syndrome". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  33. ↑ Davis, Robert (August 20, 2025). "'Obvious signs': Messages show top DeSantis official thinks he has autism". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  34. 1 2 Ellenbogen, Romy (August 12, 2025). "DeSantis chooses Tampa's Jay Collins for lieutenant governor. Who is he?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  35. ↑ Solochek, Jeffrey S. (July 11, 2025). "She lost her Hillsborough school board bid. Now she's on the State Board". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Layla Collins to the State Board of Education". florida.gov. July 11, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Florida
2025–present		 Incumbent