Florida's GOP Primary Just Exploded: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins Joins Race—What Happens Next Will Shock You!

ORLANDO, Fla. - The race for the Florida governorship in 2026 gained significant momentum on Monday with the formal entrance of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. This announcement not only intensifies an already crowded Republican primary but also coincides with the opening of the annual legislative session, setting the stage for a potentially contentious battle among candidates.

Collins, a 49-year-old former Green Beret and first-term lieutenant governor, joins a Republican field that currently includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples, former state House Speaker Paul Renner, and investment firm CEO James Fishback. His announcement comes just a day before Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his State of the State address, highlighting the political urgency surrounding the race.

In a post on social media platform X, Collins stated, "I’m running for Governor because leadership is forged under pressure, not in soundbites. I served over 23 years in the United States military, mainly as a Green Beret, where accountability is real, decisions have consequences, and service comes before self."

The announcement was met with immediate pushback from opponents. Donalds' campaign came out swinging, with chief strategist Ryan Smith asserting that "Anyone running against Byron is an anti-Trump RINO and will be soundly defeated in the Republican primary." This strong language signals the importance of Trump’s endorsement, which could be a decisive factor in the upcoming primary contests.

Despite the potentially fractious Republican primary, DeSantis, who appointed Collins to the lieutenant governor position last year, expressed his surprise at Collins’ decision. "Jay's a good guy," DeSantis remarked, adding that he was unaware of Collins’ intentions and would announce any involvement in the primary at his own discretion.

As Collins steps into the fray, Democrats are quick to critique the Republican field. Kevin Donohoe, spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association, noted that Collins and his GOP counterparts "only offer more of the failed status quo that has left working families behind and turned Florida into one of the least affordable states in the country." This contrast underscores the broader economic discussions that will likely dominate the campaign.

Looking ahead, it remains uncertain whether DeSantis will endorse a successor or engage in the primary battle himself. With term limits preventing him from seeking another term, any involvement he has will be closely watched. Additionally, the political impact of Collins’ candidacy is still unclear, particularly in light of Donalds’ polling lead and significant national support. As of late September, Donalds had approximately $27 million in cash on hand, significantly outpacing the roughly $922,000 available to Collins' political committee.

The backdrop for Collins' entry is noteworthy. Before his appointment as lieutenant governor in August, he served a Hillsborough County district in the Florida Senate, where he was involved in key conservative initiatives like changes to election law and immigration enforcement. DeSantis praised him as a "warrior" for his military service and work in disaster response at the time of his appointment.

The Republican primary is increasingly shaping up as a battleground for differing factions within the party—those aligned with Donald Trump versus candidates backed by Florida's traditional conservative leadership. This division is not just ideological but also financial, as evidenced by the stark fundraising disparities among candidates.

On the Democratic side, the primary is still taking shape, with prominent candidates like Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly emerging. However, Florida's GOP dominance presents a challenge for any Democratic contender.

As the legislative session commences this week, the intensity of campaigning is expected to ramp up, leading to a pivotal contest in the lead-up to the November election. With a wide-open governor's seat attracting national attention, all eyes will be on how this race unfolds in the coming months.