ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, is considering a run for governor in 2026. In an exclusive interview with News 6’s Laverne McGee, Collins talked about his background, what matters to him, and what would influence his decision to enter the race.
Collins has been in the job for just a few weeks and said he is focused on doing his best as lieutenant governor.
“I’m focused primarily and daily on being the best lieutenant governor I can be,” he said.
When asked about running for governor, Collins said he is looking carefully at the situation.
“You can never be afraid to step up and step into that breach and lead. We are investigating, we are researching, and we are making sure that if we decide to do that, it’s what’s best for our people, what’s best for our communities, what’s best for our state.”
Collins shared his personal story, saying he grew up in poverty and joined the military as an enlisted man.
“I was shot, I was wounded, I overcame, I qualified as a Green Beret,” he said. “Every time somebody shut the door, I got up, dusted it off, and kept fighting.”
He said he is different from other politicians. “We are tired of politicians who just say one thing and they walk away from it. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say. I’m going to follow it up with deeds, not words.”
Collins also addressed voters in Central Florida, an area known to lean more moderate.
“Life is a people industry. I ran my first Senate race in a blue district in Tampa. I don’t hide who I am. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we can agree on enough to know I’m the guy who’s going to fight for me.”
On health issues, Governor Ron DeSantis has named Collins to Florida’s “Make America Healthy Again” Commission. He said the commission will focus on parental rights and transparency about vaccines.
[RELATED: Florida leaders announce plan to end vaccine mandates]
“It’s about parental freedom. It’s choice. We stand by our parents. Parents’ rights matter here in Florida,” he said.
He acknowledged concerns about vaccines but said people should have the choice. “If you want the immunizations, you can do those. It’s perfectly fine. Ultimately, I want people to have transparency and make a choice that’s good for their family.”
The Republican primary for governor already includes candidates like Byron Donalds, who has former President Trump’s support, and Paul Renner, the former Florida House Speaker. There’s also still speculation that first lady Casey DeSantis may run for governor.
On the Democratic side, former Republican congressman David Jolly has filed to run for the office.
Collins said his decision to run will be based on what is best for the state and his family. “We don’t need more selfish politicians who jump in because it’s their time. If I believe this is right and I’ve done my due diligence, I’ll jump in. People will know when it happens.”
If he runs, Collins said he will be fully committed. “There will be no doubt we’re in this to win it. We’re going to fight every day for our people, for what matters, and we’re willing to stand alone if necessary.”