ORLANDO, Fla. – Lt. Governor Jay Collins is at the center of a new round of TV ads running across Florida, even though he hasn’t entered the 2026 governor’s race.
For weeks, the 30-second spots have aired in Orlando, Tampa and Palm Beach, promoting Collins’ ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his record since being appointed to the state’s No. 2 job.
“Lt. Governor Jay Collins is standing with Governor DeSantis,” the ads states. “Jay Collins stands strong for conservative values.”
[WATCH BELOW: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings declares run for Florida governor]
Collins isn’t paying for the ads. No political committee is linked to him is either.
The money — more than $2.25 million — comes from Florida Fighters, a group that didn’t exist until early November. Records show it’s a 501(c)(4) registered in Delaware.
These groups, labeled “social welfare organizations,” can raise and spend unlimited funds while keeping donors secret.
UCF political science professor John Hanley says that makes the group’s purpose clear.
“This is essentially a shell corporation that’s putting these messages out there that wants people to know about Jay Collins,” he said. “Florida Fighters is an anonymous tag line that provides the smallest amount of information as to who this group is.”
[WATCH BELOW: Right-wing personality James Fishback announces Florida governor campaign]
Because 501(c)(4)s don’t have to list contributors, the source of the money behind the Collins ad may never surface.
Florida Fighters’ Delaware filing doesn’t list an address. The phone number on one version of the ad leads to a voicemail box for the lieutenant governor’s office, and that mailbox is full.
Collins has said he’s strongly considering a 2026 run for governor.
President Donald Trump has already endorsed another Republican in the race, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Two other Republicans — former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and James Fishback — have also filed to run.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and former Congressman David Jolly have thrown their hats in the ring on the Democratic side.