Gov. Ron DeSantis has had multiple opportunities to endorse Lt. Gov. Jay Collins as his preferred successor. But despite DeSantis’ refusal to do so, Colling continues to suggest that a closer reading of DeSantis’ words implies support.
“I’m the Lieutenant Governor of Florida. I’m not talking about it. I’m already doing it,” Collins said on “904 Now.”
“When someone like Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been the greatest Governor in our state’s history, in my mind, says, ‘If something were to happen to me’ — and this is the day I was appointed — ‘the state would be ready because Jay is Day 1 ready. He would step in. We wouldn’t lose a beat, nothing. He is ready to lead now,’ that’s a big statement. You know, when he says that, I think people should take a step back and listen to the words he’s using.”
The Governor has refused to endorse Collins, a Montana native who moved to Florida in 2019 and served in the Senate from 2022 to his appointment as Lieutenant Governor in 2025. DeSantis’ delay in endorsing has driven speculation as to why, which Collins has explained away.
At times, Collins has pointed to the words DeSantis said when he announced him as LG. On other occasions, Collins has said there’s a “great chance” that DeSantis endorses him. But time is running short for that.
Collins also spoke to the dangers he has faced as a candidate and an elected official during the same interview.
As a Senator, he said he got “death threats from socialists” when he carried SB 1264, legislation requiring students to receive instruction on the history of communism beginning in the 2026-27 academic year in what is billed as an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate way.
When running for the Senate, Collins said he was “chased down the street by angry, screaming couples who didn’t philosophically align” with his “pro-God … pro-gun … pro-life” positions.
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