Jay Collins Bio, Age, Wife, Children, Military Career, Florida Governor Race & Net Worth

Who is Jay Collins? | Biography

Jay Collins is an American Republican politician, decorated Green Beret, and Florida’s 21st lieutenant governor. He was born in Scobey, Montana, and his grandparents raised him on their family farm. Collins later earned a health sciences bachelor’s degree from American Military University. Additionally, he completed a master’s degree in organizational leadership at Norwich University. Ballotpedia lists his military service from 1995 to 2018.

Collins served over 23 years in the United States Army, primarily with Army Special Forces. He deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and South America as a Green Beret medic. During a 2007 Afghanistan deployment, Collins suffered a gunshot wound but continued fighting. Other combat injuries eventually forced doctors to amputate his leg. However, he requalified for active duty and served five more years. His honors include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Soldier’s Medal, and Legion of Merit.

After retiring, Collins joined Operation BBQ Relief and helped distribute millions of meals following natural disasters. He later entered politics and won Florida Senate District 14 in 2022. During his Senate tenure, Collins chaired the agriculture and transportation committees. Moreover, he supported permitless concealed carry, veterans’ protections, infrastructure projects, farmers, and first responders. His legislative record included over 55 passed measures and significant Tampa Bay funding.

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Collins lieutenant governor on August 12, 2025. He replaced Jeanette Nuñez and left his Florida Senate seat. Collins entered the 2026 Florida governor race, campaigning to continue DeSantis-era conservative policies. His priorities include public safety, economic growth, parental rights, agriculture, and limited government. His campaign emphasizes military leadership and resilience.

Collins lives in Florida with his wife, Layla Collins, a retired military veteran. They have two sons, Gabe and Colt, and attend Grace Family Church. His biography reflects military sacrifice, nonprofit leadership, conservative politics, and continued public service.

Jay Collins Age | How Old is Jay Collins?

Jay Collins is 50 years old in 2026, having been born on April 28, 1976, in Scobey, Montana. The Florida lieutenant governor celebrated his 50th birthday while campaigning in the 2026 governor race. Collins grew up on a small family farm after his grandparents adopted and raised him. Moreover, he began his United States Army career in 1995, while still a young man. He later became a decorated Green Beret and served for over 23 years. Despite severe combat injuries and losing a leg, he returned to active duty. Today, Jay Collins’ age reflects decades of military and public service.

Jay Collins Height | How Tall is Jay Collins?

Jay Collins stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, which equals 185 centimeters. His tall, athletic build reflects the physical discipline developed throughout his long military career. Moreover, Collins served over 23 years in the United States Army, mainly as a Green Beret. He maintained exceptional fitness despite suffering severe combat injuries that eventually caused the loss of his leg. However, Collins requalified for active duty while using a prosthetic and served five additional years. Today, the 6-foot-1 Florida lieutenant governor brings a commanding presence to speeches, campaign events, and official appearances across the state. His height complements his athletic frame.

Jay Collins Political Party | Is he Republican or Democrat?

Jay Collins belongs to the Republican Party and promotes a firmly conservative political platform. He represented Florida Senate District 14 from 2022 until 2025. Moreover, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him Florida’s lieutenant governor in August 2025. Collins supports gun rights, parental choice, limited government, public safety, veterans, and Florida’s agricultural industry. He also helped advance permitless concealed carry while serving in the state Senate. In 2026, Collins entered Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed term-limited DeSantis. His campaign emphasizes conservative leadership, military service, economic growth, and state sovereignty. Today, Jay Collins’ political party affiliation shapes his policies and statewide campaign.

Jay Collins Education

Jay Collins earned a Bachelor of Science in health sciences and pre-medicine from American Military University. He completed the degree in 2010 while building his United States Army career. Additionally, Collins earned a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Norwich University in 2012. His graduate studies strengthened his leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management skills. Moreover, his academic training complemented more than 23 years of military service, mainly with Army Special Forces. Collins later applied his education through nonprofit management, state legislation, and executive leadership. Today, Jay Collins’ education supports his responsibilities as Florida’s lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate.

Jay Collins Religion

Jay Collins is a Christian whose faith plays a central role in his family life and public service. He attends Grace Family Church with his wife, Layla, and their sons, Gabe and Colt. Moreover, Collins frequently connects faith with purpose, resilience, family, and service to others. His Christian beliefs supported him throughout a demanding Army career and recovery from severe combat injuries. Additionally, his family strives to improve their community through faith and responsible leadership. Jay Collins’ religion also aligns with his conservative political identity and emphasis on traditional values. Today, he openly presents faith as a foundation for leadership.

Jay Collins Wife | Is Jay Collins married?

Jay Collins’ wife, Layla Collins, is a retired United States Army veteran and Florida education leader. She completed more than 20 years of military service and attended American Military University. During her Army career, Layla worked as a liaison between military and government agencies. Additionally, she served with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed her to the Florida State Board of Education in 2025. Layla also advocates for school choice, adaptive sports, veterans, and students with special needs. She and Jay have two sons, Gabe and Colt. The couple shares military experience, Christian faith, and service.

Jay Collins Children | Sons

Jay Collins has three sons: Trey Collins, Gabe Collins, and Colt Collins. Trey is his eldest son from his previous marriage to Colleen Collins-Madsen. Meanwhile, Jay shares Gabe and Colt with his wife, Layla Collins, a retired Army veteran. His official Florida biography highlights Gabe and Colt as the couple’s two young sons. Moreover, the Collins family lives in Florida, attends Grace Family Church, and values service, faith, and education. Jay frequently discusses fatherhood while promoting parental rights and school choice. He also credits his children with shaping his concern for Florida’s future. Family remains central to Jay Collins’ life.

Jay Collins Family | Parents and Siblings

Jay Collins was born to a 16-year-old mother in Scobey, Montana, before his grandparents adopted and raised him. He grew up on their small family farm, where he learned faith, discipline, patriotism, and hard work. However, Collins has not identified his parents by name in his official biography. He has mentioned a sister whose family fostered seven children and adopted three. Further details about other Jay Collins siblings remain private. His grandparents provided the stability that shaped his character and future military service. Today, Collins lives with wife Layla and their family, continuing values learned during his early Montana childhood.

Jay Collins for Florida Governor | Campaign, GOP Primary Polls & Live Results

Jay Collins is seeking Florida’s Republican nomination for governor in the August 18, 2026 primary. Collins launched his campaign on January 12 and qualified on June 11. He selected emergency-management director Kevin Guthrie as his running mate on August 17.

Collins campaigns on property-tax relief, lower insurance costs, gun rights, parental rights, clean water, agriculture, and veterans’ employment. He faces Byron Donalds, James Fishback, Paul Renner, and other Republicans. Moreover, Donalds holds President Donald Trump’s endorsement, while Governor Ron DeSantis has not endorsed a successor.

The August James Madison Institute poll placed Donalds at 49%, Collins at 18%, Renner at 8%, and Fishback at 4%. Meanwhile, 21% remained undecided. A four-poll average gave Donalds 47.5% and Collins 13.5%. Collins later won two Polk County GOP straw polls and tied another. Florida’s primary results remain pending because Election Day voting has not concluded. The winner advances to November’s general election.

Jay Collins Policies and Political Views

Jay Collins holds conservative Republican views centered on limited government, public safety, gun rights, families, and affordability. He supports immediate property-tax relief and preserving Florida’s 2023 insurance reforms. Additionally, Collins wants insurer transparency, fraud enforcement, faster claims, and expanded home-hardening grants. His education platform protects parental rights, school choice, vocational training, apprenticeships, and classroom cybersecurity.

Collins defends constitutional carry and proposes repealing Florida’s red-flag law and bump-stock ban. Moreover, he supports restoring firearm-purchase rights at 18 and strengthening penalties for repeat criminals. His energy plan prioritizes natural gas and advanced nuclear power over wind and solar dependence. Collins also wants data centers to fund infrastructure, undergo water reviews, and protect ratepayers. Furthermore, he supports removing PFAS chemicals, preserving farmland, restricting foreign-adversary land purchases, and expanding veteran employment and mental-health programs.

Jay Collins vs Byron Donalds | Policies, Polls and Florida Governor Primary Comparison

Jay Collins and Byron Donalds are Republican candidates seeking to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. Collins serves as lieutenant governor and represented Florida Senate District 14. Meanwhile, Donalds represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District and served in the Florida House.

Both candidates support tax relief, gun rights, immigration enforcement, parental rights, and conservative governance. However, Collins emphasizes his Green Beret service, DeSantis record, insurance reforms, veterans, and agriculture. Donalds emphasizes President Donald Trump’s agenda, affordability, economic opportunity, and experience.

Trump endorsed Donalds, while DeSantis has not endorsed a candidate. Additionally, Collins selected Kevin Guthrie, while Donalds had not announced a running mate before primary day. The August James Madison Institute poll gave Donalds 49% and Collins 18%. Thus, Donalds entered primary day with a 31-point advantage, although official results remained pending.

Jay Collins on Israel and AIPAC | Support, Evacuation Mission and Funding

Jay Collins strongly supports Israel and describes the country as an important American ally. In June 2025, he traveled to Israel during missile exchanges with Iran to help evacuate stranded Americans. Collins joined Grey Bull Rescue and Florida’s emergency-management agency during the operation. Moreover, one returning flight carried about 130 evacuees to Tampa. Florida officials said coordinated missions rescued more than 2,000 Americans.

During a May 2026 campaign event in Niceville, Collins publicly defended Israel and AIPAC. He identified himself as pro-Israel and pro-AIPAC while answering a voter’s question. Collins argued that AIPAC represents American supporters of Israel, not the Israeli government. However, available campaign-finance records do not establish a direct AIPAC contribution or endorsement for Collins. His Israel position emphasizes alliance, security cooperation, and protecting Americans during overseas crises.

Jay Collins Salary as Florida Lieutenant Governor

Jay Collins earns an annual salary of $135,516 as Florida’s lieutenant governor. The state began paying this amount on July 1, 2025, before Collins entered office that August. His salary comes from public funds and reflects compensation assigned to Florida’s second-highest executive position. Moreover, the amount sits slightly below Governor Ron DeSantis’ $141,400 annual salary. Collins previously earned a $29,697 base salary while serving in the Florida Senate. Senators could also receive per diem payments during legislative sessions. Today, his salary covers duties supporting the governor and leading state initiatives. Collins also represents Florida at official events across the state.

Jay Collins Net Worth 2026

Jay Collins’ net worth was $1,945,807.45 in his latest publicly accessible state full financial disclosure. He reported the figure for December 31, 2024, and filed the document in June 2025. His assets included a $1.5 million home, a $468,000 second home, retirement accounts, savings, and household property. Meanwhile, disclosed liabilities included a $202,592 mortgage, a $52,467 auto loan, and a $16,030 personal loan. Collins also reported income from Operation BBQ Relief, military retirement, veterans benefits, and his Florida Senate salary. These figures place Jay Collins’ net worth near $1.95 million, based on his declared assets and debts at that time.

Biography Summary