TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said Monday he is entering the Republican race for governor, launching a bid to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Collins, a former Green Beret and veteran, served as a state senator from Hillsborough County before DeSantis appointed him to serve as lieutenant governor in August.
“I’m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites,” Collins wrote on X. “I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self. That experience shaped how I lead and why I believe public office is a public trust.”
Collins will have some catching up to do as multiple other Republican candidates have announced their intention to succeed DeSantis.
[WATCH BELOW: Who’s paying for the Jay Collins ads flooding Florida airwaves]
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced in February that he was entering the 2026 Florida governor race. Donalds entered the race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Donalds has been a frequent Trump surrogate and was on the short list to be his vice presidential running mate last year.
And in October, Paul Renner, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, announced that he is also running. Renner, who lives in Palm Coast with his family, served in the legislature from 2015 to 2024.
In November, James Fishback, an investment firm founder and right-wing media figure, also joined the race for Florida governor.
On the other side of the aisle, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, a Democrat, announced that he is also running, saying he wants to tackle rising costs of living, improve public safety.
Also running is David Jolly, a former GOP congressman, running as a Democrat. Jolly was a Republican when he represented Florida’s 13th congressional district from 2014 to 2017.
To see the full list of all candidates for Florida governor, click here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.