Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins isn’t ready to declare a run for governor in 2026, but he’s not ruling it out either. In a recent interview, Collins responded to growing speculation about his political future amid Gov. Ron DeSantis reaching his term limit.
“I’m focused on the job I have,” Collins said. “But we’ll see what comes down the road.”
Collins was appointed lieutenant governor by DeSantis in 2022. He’s a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who lost his leg during combat in Afghanistan, later continuing to serve with a prosthetic. Collins often references his military service and personal resilience, connecting it to his approach to government.
His name has surfaced in conversations about who might run for Florida’s top office once DeSantis’ second term ends in January 2027. During the interview, Collins acknowledged the conversations but kept his comments noncommittal.
“I love this state, and I love serving,” he said. “My focus is supporting the governor and getting the job done.”
The spotlight on Collins intensified after a high-profile trip he made to California earlier this year. He personally oversaw the extradition of Harjender Singh, a truck driver accused of causing a deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike. Singh, who was living in the U.S. without legal documentation, became a focal point in the state’s debates over immigration enforcement.
Critics of the move called it a political stunt, arguing the extradition process didn’t require Collins to go in person. Collins pushed back, saying he wanted to highlight what he saw as failures by the federal government to control illegal immigration.
“This wasn’t about headlines,” Collins said. “It was about making sure justice was served for the victims and their families.”
Beyond that case, Collins continues to back DeSantis’ policy agenda, including education reforms and tougher penalties on undocumented immigration. When asked about dividing political lines within the Republican Party, especially with national figures clashing ahead of the 2026 midterms, Collins stayed neutral.
“I try not to get caught in the noise,” he said. “I focus on what I can control in Florida.”
With the 2026 election cycle approaching, the list of potential gubernatorial candidates is starting to take shape. For now, Collins’ name stays on that list, even if he’s not officially throwing his hat in the ring.
“I’ll keep doing what I was asked to do,” he said. “What happens next? That’s up to the people of Florida.”
