Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins is leaning into his record and message as he faces growing scrutiny in the race for governor, particularly over the absence of an endorsement from Governor Ron DeSantis. Speaking on The Ryan Gorman Show, Collins acknowledged the elephant in the room but framed the situation as part of a broader effort to “earn” support rather than expect it.
“I didn’t anticipate having an endorsement when I jumped in the race,” Collins said, emphasizing that proving competence and connecting with voters must come first. While stopping short of suggesting tension with DeSantis, Collins pointed to the governor’s prior praise—calling him “day one ready”—as a form of implicit validation, even if a formal endorsement has yet to materialize.
On policy, Collins zeroed in on affordability as the defining issue for Florida voters, with property taxes and insurance costs at the center of his platform. He voiced support for eliminating property taxes on homesteaded properties, aligning himself with the governor’s push for broader tax relief. “Imagine that—no income tax, no property tax on the home that you own,” he said, framing it as a path to the “American dream.” However, he stopped short of detailing a full implementation plan, noting that specifics would come through a legislative proposal during a special session.
Collins also defended recent insurance reforms, particularly tort reform measures he says have stabilized the market and attracted more insurers back to the state. While acknowledging ongoing frustrations among homeowners, he argued that improvements are underway, citing increased competition and stabilizing rates. He also pointed to permitting costs and local fees as overlooked drivers of rising insurance premiums.
The interview took a sharper turn during a back-and-forth over Collins’ comments on George Floyd. Pressed on whether law enforcement made mistakes in Floyd’s death, Collins resisted direct criticism, instead suggesting the situation was amplified by media coverage. “I think that in that case, everything went pretty much according to SOP,” he said, while conceding that standard procedures themselves could warrant scrutiny. The exchange underscored a broader divide in how candidates in the race are approaching issues of policing and public accountability.
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