Governor Ron DeSantis appointed a new Florida Lieutenant Governor: Jay Collins.
“I was proud to appoint Jay Collins as Florida’s new Lieutenant Governor. A combat-wounded warrior who served for 23 years as a Green Beret, Jay embodies Florida grit,” Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said. “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 Collins served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2018, including as member of the United States Army Special Forces. His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Legion of Merit, Soldier’s Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous other personal, unit, and service awards. He is also a recipient of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Major General John K. Singlaub/Jedburgh Award.
He was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2022 after defeating incumbent State Senator Janet Cruz. In March 2025, Collins sponsored SB 918, which would change child labor laws to allow 14-17 year-olds to work more than eight hours a day on school nights and over 30 hours a week while school is in session, without mandated breaks.
On August 12, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jay Collins as the new Florida Lieutenant Governor.
“Jay is an unapologetic fighter for conservative values. I look forward to working with him to keep putting Florida first,” Governor Ron DeSantis added.
Collins was born in Scobey, Montana. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and pre-medicine from American Military University and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Norwich University.
