Jay Collins

Jarrid "Jay" Collins is an American politician and retired Army Special Forces veteran who serves as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Florida, a position he has held since August 12, 2025. A Republican, Collins is known for his decorated military career, having served over two decades as a Green Beret, and for his rapid rise in Florida politics as a staunch ally of Governor Ron DeSantis.

As Lieutenant Governor, Collins has focused on continuing DeSantis's conservative agenda, with an emphasis on economic prosperity, parental rights, education, and public safety. He is currently a candidate in the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Florida, positioning himself as a battle-tested leader ready to lead the state. His public persona is built on his military sacrifice, including losing a leg in combat, and his legislative achievements in the Florida Senate.

Collins's story resonates with many Floridians for its themes of resilience and service. He has become a prominent figure in state politics, often described by supporters as a "fighter for Florida," and his campaign branding reflects a lifetime of service and a commitment to conservative values. [edit]

Jay Collins was born Jarrid Collins on April 28, 1976, in Scobey, Montana, a small town near the Canadian border. He was raised by his grandparents on a family farm, where he learned the value of hard work and perseverance from an early age. His upbringing on the farm instilled in him a strong work ethic that would define his later career.

In 1995, at the age of 19, Collins enlisted in the United States Army. He was attending Airborne School during the September 11, 2001 attacks, an event that profoundly shaped his military path. Immediately after 9/11, he signed up for Special Forces Assessment and Selection, beginning his journey to becoming a Green Beret. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2005, receiving the Leadership Award as chosen by his peers and cadre.

Collins deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and South America. During a 2007 deployment, he was shot in the arm, continued to fight, and later helped perform surgery on himself in the field. He sustained debilitating injuries that eventually led to the loss of his leg. Remarkably, he requalified as a fully deployable Green Beret post-amputation and served five additional years on active duty, retiring in 2018 after more than 23 years of total service. His military career earned him a Purple Heart and numerous other decorations.

After retiring from the Army, Collins moved to Florida in 2018-2019 to raise his family. He took a position with Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit organization, where he oversaw the distribution of millions of meals to Americans following natural disasters and helped veterans and their families. Through this work, he heard concerns from Americans across the country, which prompted him to run for public office. [edit]

Jay Collins entered politics in November 2022 when he was elected to the Florida State Senate for District 14. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and later the Agricultural and Transportation Committees. He authored and passed over 40 pieces of legislation and brought back more than $120 million to improve the Tampa Bay region, support Florida's First Responders and Veterans, and invest in educational institutions. His legislative accomplishments included carrying constitutional carry into law, protecting veterans from predatory schemes, banning cultivated meats, and protecting farmlands.

On August 12, 2025, Collins resigned from the Florida State Senate when Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him Lieutenant Governor of Florida, succeeding Jeanette Nuñez. DeSantis reportedly called him "the Chuck Norris of Florida politics." As Lieutenant Governor, Collins has been a key figure in the DeSantis administration, focusing on continuity and conservative governance.

In 2026, Collins is running for Governor of Florida in the Republican primary scheduled for August 18, 2026. His campaign emphasizes his military service, his appointment by DeSantis, and his legislative record. Polls show him trailing in the primary, with one July 2026 poll showing him at 11% compared to leading candidate Byron Donalds at 43%. Despite the odds, Collins continues to campaign on continuing DeSantis's vision. [edit]

Jay Collins presents himself as a "battle-tested leader" and "fighter for Florida," emphasizing his military service, Purple Heart status, and DeSantis appointment. His campaign branding centers on "A Lifetime of Service. A Fighter for Florida." He is portrayed by media as a staunch DeSantis ally and effective conservative legislator. His content tone is patriotic and service-focused, emphasizing his combat experience, sacrifice, and commitment to conservative values. No official fandom name has been identified. [edit]

Jay Collins currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists as of August 2026. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his public footprint, yet he does not secure a ranked position among the world's most famous individuals at this time. While his profile reflects significant visibility within Florida conservative politics and veteran communities, it has not translated into a quantifiable global ranking relative to international celebrities, entertainers, or historical figures. His audience consists primarily of political supporters, constituents, and military affiliates rather than a generalized fanbase characterized by viral cultural consumption. There is no documented fandom name associated with Jay Collins; his supporters operate through standard political channels, campaign donations, and constituent engagement rather than organized fan clubs, unofficial nicknames, or ritualistic gatherings. Unlike pop culture icons who inspire birthday subway ads, fan-funded charity drives, or street-shutting crowds, Collins engages the public through formal campaign stops such as Politics in the Park in Lakeland and visits to Palm Coast. No fan-driven initiatives bearing his name have been recorded, nor are there viral incidents where his presence alone halted city traffic or triggered spontaneous memorials. The absence of a formal fandom reflects his status as an elected official and military veteran rather than a figure of entertainment mythology. While he commands respect for his service and policy positions, the behaviors typical of dedicated celebrity fandoms, streaming pushes, chart manipulation, or myth-making around specific performance moments, are not present in his public record.[edit]

Jarrid "Jay" Collins derives his nickname from his middle name, Jarrid. A devout Christian, he attends Grace Family Church alongside his family. His affiliations include the NRA, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, and Special Forces Association. He and his wife rescued their dog, Tucker. Collins holds a degree in health sciences and pre-medicine, signaling an early dedication to medical fields. During his combat service, he performed surgery on himself after being shot, a reflection of his resilience that remains a staple of his personal narrative. As a Green Beret with over two decades of service, he is known for losing a leg in action and subsequently requalifying for duty. In the political sphere, he assumed office as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Florida on August 12, 2025. His 2026 gubernatorial campaign features attack ads against Byron Donalds and endorsements of Charles Gambaro's challenge to Randy Fine, focusing heavily on property taxes and affordability. These events define his current public legacy as a battle-tested leader transitioning from special operations to high-level state governance.[edit]

Jay Collins was raised by his grandparents on a family farm in Montana, who adopted him. He is married to Layla Sangid Collins, a retired veteran with over 20 years of service from Princeton, West Virginia. They have been married for 23 years as of 2025. The couple has two young sons, Gabe and Colt. The family lives in Florida and attends Grace Family Church. They also have a rescued dog named Tucker. [edit]

Jay Collins is closely associated with Governor Ron DeSantis, who appointed him Lieutenant Governor and has been a key political ally. He succeeded Jeanette Nuñez in that role. In the 2026 gubernatorial primary, he is running against Byron Donalds, among others. His wife, Layla Sangid Collins, is a retired veteran and has been a supportive partner throughout his career. [edit]

Jay Collins has been married to Layla Sangid Collins for over two decades. They met while both were serving in the military, and Layla, a retired veteran with over 20 years of service, has been a steadfast partner. The couple married around 2002 and have two sons, Gabe and Colt. No other public relationships have been reported. As of 2026, Collins remains married to Layla. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Jay Collins's net worth at $1 Million as of 2026. This valuation accounts for his primary income streams, which include a military pension derived from over 23 years of service, his salary as Lieutenant Governor of Florida, and prior executive compensation earned during his tenure with Operation BBQ Relief. No major business ventures or real estate holdings have been publicly reported beyond these established sources. As a public official, his government salary is a matter of public record, though specific annual figures remain widely unpublicized in detailed financial disclosures.[edit]

Jay Collins has received several awards recognizing his military service and legislative work. He is a Purple Heart recipient for wounds sustained in combat. In 2024, he was named Senator of the Year by both the Florida and Sarasota Young Republicans. He also received the Major General John Singlaub Award in 2017 and the Community Hero Veteran Award in 2021. [edit]