Jay Collins
Jay Collins (Republican Party) is a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 14. He assumed office on November 8, 2022. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Collins (Republican Party) ran for election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 14. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Collins also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 15th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 23, 2022.
Collins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jay Collins was born in Scobey, Montana. Collins served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2018. Collins earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences from American Military University in 2010 and a graduate degree from Norwich University in 2012. His career experience includes working as the chief programs officer of a nonprofit.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Collins was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee, Chair
- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
- Collective Bargaining Committee
Elections
2022
State Senate
See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 14
Jay Collins defeated incumbent Janet Cruz in the general election for Florida State Senate District 14 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jay Collins (R) | 54.6 | 104,776 |
 | Janet Cruz (D) | 45.4 | 87,216 | |
| Total votes: 191,992 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Janet Cruz advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Jay Collins advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14.
Campaign finance
U.S. House
See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurel Lee (R) | 58.5 | 145,219 |
 | Alan Cohn (D) | 41.5 | 102,835 | |
| Total votes: 248,054 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Bertges (No Party Affiliation)
- Josue Vazquez (No Party Affiliation)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Alan Cohn defeated Gavin Brown, Eddie Geller, Cesar Ramirez, and William VanHorn in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alan Cohn | 33.1 | 14,928 |
 | Gavin Brown | 22.3 | 10,034 | |
 | Eddie Geller | 21.9 | 9,859 | |
 | Cesar Ramirez | 17.3 | 7,817 | |
 | William VanHorn | 5.4 | 2,435 | |
| Total votes: 45,073 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jesse Philippe (D)
- Lily Ramcharran (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15
Laurel Lee defeated Kelli Stargel, Jackie Toledo, Demetries Grimes, and Kevin McGovern in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurel Lee | 41.5 | 22,481 |
 | Kelli Stargel | 27.8 | 15,072 | |
 | Jackie Toledo | 11.6 | 6,307 | |
 | Demetries Grimes | 10.4 | 5,629 | |
 | Kevin McGovern | 8.7 | 4,713 | |
| Total votes: 54,202 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dennis A. Ross (R)
- Jay Collins (R)
Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jay Collins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Collins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am not a politician, I’m a retired Green Beret, leader in the non-profit sector, husband and father that was called to continue to serve because of my devotion to this Great Nation and our future generations! Running for Congress is a continuation of my life’s work, serving my country and community.
- I will defend the Constitution
- I have a proven record of leadership
- I will be a strong voice for the American People
We have to have a strong economy that allows American business and families to flourish. The far left agenda of government over reach is stifling and harming our businesses and households. We need a strong National Defense policy because strong America means a more stable world. This includes a secure border. I will back our law enforcement. I will always defend our constitution and put the interests of Americans before self-interests.
An elected official has to be able to make hard decisions for the good of our nation. It’s imperative that we elect officials that understand “leadership come at a cost and that cost is self-interest”. Leading with integrity and as a Constitutional Conservative will allow me to be a voice for all Americans.
After losing my leg I could have retired, but I fought to continue to serve. I’m not a politician, I’m a dad, husband, nonprofit leader and proud American who feels compelled to serve in Congress as a voice for the American people. It’s about WE not me!
As a US Congressman, it’s my responsibility to represent my district and the American people. Once elected an office is obliged to do everything within their means to ensure the Constitution and our Freedoms are defended.
I was in In the Army on Active Duty during 9/11. It was a pivotal point in my career and for our nation. I was 25 at the time.
I believe we are a nation that was formed to have a government that “for the people and by the people”. We are diverse and diverse experiences are beneficial. My combined business, military and life experience will be beneficial.
The United States has faced many challenges, in the past. We will persevere through the next decade. We, as Americans, have more in common than we don’t. But we have to defend our values and the Constitution, while coming together.
I believe term limits would allow Representatives to bring relatable experience into office.
Most “dad jokes”
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 to May 5.
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Candidate Florida State Senate District 14 |
Officeholder Florida State Senate District 14 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 12, 2021
- ↑ The Florida Senate, "Senator Jay Collins - Personal & Career," accessed December 16, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Wright (R) |
Florida State Senate District 14 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |
