Earlier today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jay Collins as Florida Lieutenant Governor.
“Today, I was proud to appoint Jay Collins as Florida’s new Lieutenant Governor,” DeSantis said. “A combat-wounded warrior who served for 23 years as a Green Beret, Jay embodies Florida grit. Since retiring from the Army, Jay Collins has led disaster relief missions and helped rescue Floridians in danger—a record of public service that speaks for itself. In the Senate, he has passed more than 40 bills and been a champion for veterans and military families, education freedom, law and order, and responsible fiscal stewardship.
Jay is an unapologetic fighter for conservative values. I look forward to working with him to keep putting Florida first.”
Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor, Collins represented Florida’s 14th State Senate District, which encompasses western Hillsborough County. Born in Scobey, Montana, Collins earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from American Military University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University. Before entering politics, he dedicated 23 years to the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret, with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and South America. During his service in Afghanistan, he sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of one of his legs. Remarkably, he requalified as a fully deployable Green Beret and retired with honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit.
Collins transitioned to public service and was elected to the Florida Senate in 2022, defeating incumbent Janet Cruz. In the Senate, he chaired the Transportation Committee and participated in various committees, including joint appropriations, ethics and election oversight, pre-K, and military affairs. He also sponsored legislation such as Senate Bill 918, which aimed to allow teenagers—including graduates and homeschooled students—to work longer hours.
Known for his strong support of Governor DeSantis, Collins was often described as “the Chuck Norris of Florida politics” due to his conservative leadership and active involvement in emergency situations, including rescue operations during the Israel–Iran conflict.
Collins’ predecessor, Jeanette Núñez, served as Florida’s 20th Lieutenant Governor from January 8, 2019, until her resignation on February 16, 2025, which was necessary for her to accept the position of President at Florida International University, her alma mater.
