FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins shared his remarkable personal journey and vision for the state’s future during a visit to Flagler Beach on Friday, July 24, telling attendees that his own life is proof “the American dream is real, and it’s alive and well in Florida.”
“I never imagined politics would be a part of my life,” Collins said. “I loved being a Green Beret. I loved being a soldier. I really thought that would be my life’s work. But, you know, God’s plan is a lot bigger than ours.”
Instead, Collins said his life followed a path he never expected.
“I was born to a 16-year-old kid, adopted by my grandparents, raised on our family farm, which we lost. I grew up on welfare,” he said. “I’m just a kid from a broken home, through a broken family, on a failed farm, and I can be here today as the 21st lieutenant governor of Florida. Pretty incredible.”
Collins said his appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis 11 months ago has given him an opportunity to serve nearly 23.5 million Floridians every day.
“It’s not something you take for granted,” Collins said. “I get to wake up every day and focus and worry about leaving Florida better than we got it — about fighting for our communities, our cities, our counties, our people. That’s what matters.”
Throughout his remarks, Collins emphasized that leadership is measured by actions rather than words.
“People know leadership, and they know people who don’t play games,” he said. “I say what I mean. I mean what I say. I follow up with actions.”
Pointing to his legislative record, Collins said he passed 55 bills during three years in the Florida Legislature.
“I’ll put my résumé up against anybody,” he said. “Leadership isn’t talking about things. It’s being on the ground.”
He encouraged attendees to evaluate future leaders based on their record of accomplishments.
“I believe you have to look at three things when you pick your next governor,” Collins said. “Have they been successful? Have they passed things? Have they followed through with actions and not just talked about it?”
Collins also praised Gov. Ron DeSantis’ leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Remember, Ron DeSantis wasn’t America’s governor until COVID happened,” Collins said. “He stepped into the breach and protected not only our state but our nation.”
Drawing from his military background, Collins described leadership as stepping into difficult situations rather than avoiding them. He recalled traveling to the Middle East after conflict erupted to help bring Americans home.
“Leadership’s not talking about it,” he said. “It’s running into the problem where the people are, even if it means going to a combat zone.”
During a question-and-answer session, Collins highlighted several pieces of legislation he sponsored, including constitutional carry, restrictions on Chinese ownership of Florida land, protections for medical freedom, school sports prayer measures, and legislation requiring instruction on communism and socialism.
“Those are all things that make a difference at your kitchen table,” he said.
When asked about property tax reform, Collins acknowledged the challenges of the legislative process but reiterated his long-term goal.
“I would love to have the abolishment of homestead of property tax. I think we can get there, but it’s got to happen on a gradual process more than likely,” Collins said, expressing concern for the 29 fiscally constrained counties that need a short-term trust fund to help reset their roles.
