Jay Collins
Republican · FL · Lieutenant Governor of Florida
Jay Collins is a Republican 2026 candidate for Governor of Florida. He serves as Lieutenant Governor of Florida and previously as a state senator; he is a U.S. Army veteran.
Track record
Anti-Corruption
· 1 record
Reporting identified a potential conflict involving Operation BBQ Relief, where Collins was a paid executive while a senator, and $13.4 million in state payments. The report said the first contract followed competitive bidding and did not establish that Collins influenced the awards.
September 2, 2025Against
Source: yahoo.com · researched July 13, 2026
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 8 records
Helped mobilize Florida's relief-flight response after Hurricane Melissa and welcomed 28 evacuated Floridians home from Jamaica at Tampa International Airport.
October 31, 2025For
Source: flgov.com · researched July 13, 2026
As lieutenant governor, traveled to California and personally escorted Harjinder Singh onto a plane for extradition to Florida, where Singh faced three vehicular-homicide charges from a fatal turnpike crash.
August 21, 2025For
Source: apnews.com · researched July 13, 2026
Helped organize and carry out evacuation operations with Grey Bull Rescue and the State of Florida for Americans leaving Israel during the Israel-Iran conflict.
June 23, 2025For
Source: baynews9.com · researched July 13, 2026
Voted for SB 2-C, a state immigration-enforcement measure; the Senate passed it 27-10 during the 2025 special session.
February 13, 2025For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Sponsored SB 718, creating criminal penalties when unlawful fentanyl possession results in a first responder's overdose or serious bodily injury and extending specified overdose-assistance immunity; it became Chapter 2024-68.
April 9, 2024For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Voted for HB 3, which restricted minors' social-media accounts and access to online material harmful to minors; the Senate passed the bill 30-5.
March 4, 2024For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Sponsored SB 264 restricting certain government contracts, economic incentives, and land ownership involving foreign countries of concern; it became Chapter 2023-33.
May 9, 2023For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Sponsored SB 150 to authorize permitless concealed carry and revise school-safety provisions; the Senate measure was laid on the table after its House companion passed and became Chapter 2023-18.
March 29, 2023For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Social Programs and Welfare
· 2 records
Sponsored SB 910 regulating paid veterans-benefit assistance, including referral compensation, disclosures, fees, and background screening; it became Chapter 2025-150.
June 23, 2025For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Led and completed Operation BBQ Relief's cross-country Breaking Bread charity barbecue tour.
June 25, 2019For
Source: operationbbqrelief.org · researched July 13, 2026
Public Education Quality
· 1 record
Sponsored SB 1264 requiring age-appropriate public-school instruction on the history of communism and creating the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College; it became Chapter 2024-102.
April 18, 2024For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Gun Control
· 1 record
Sponsored SB 150 to authorize permitless concealed carry and revise school-safety provisions; the Senate measure was laid on the table after its House companion passed and became Chapter 2023-18.
March 29, 2023Against
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Women's Reproductive Rights
· 1 record
Voted for SB 300, which prohibited most abortions after six weeks of gestational age with specified exceptions; the Senate passed the bill 26-13.
April 3, 2023Against
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Data Privacy
· 1 record
Voted for HB 3, which restricted minors' social-media accounts and access to online material harmful to minors; the Senate passed the bill 30-5.
March 4, 2024For
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
General
· 3 records
Received the Florida Police Benevolent Association's endorsement for governor.
June 29, 2026
Source: flvoicenews.com · researched July 13, 2026
Served as chair of the Florida Senate Transportation Committee, vice chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs committee, and alternating chair of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee from November 2024 until resigning from the Senate.
November 19, 2024
Source: flsenate.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Was selected as a U.S. team athlete for the 2018 Invictus Games after a 21-year Army career that included service as a Green Beret and Special Forces medical sergeant.
May 3, 2018
Source: defense.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor · August 18, 2026 · Florida
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.