Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has landed on an explanation for the endorsement Gov. Ron DeSantis never delivered: Backing him at his campaign launch, Collins argues, would have dragged the Governor into a “proxy war” with President Donald Trump.
During an interview with Coastal Conservative News, Collins suggested DeSantis didn’t want to go up against Trump, who has endorsed front-runner Byron Donalds.
“In the end, I know why we didn’t have an endorsement to launch. And I’ll tell you exactly why. If we launch with an endorsement, what do we have? A proxy war? Governor DeSantis versus President Trump. The truth is, in Florida, we want both,” Collins said.
Even without a formal endorsement, Collins argued, DeSantis’ preference is easy to discern.
“No matter what, I’m the only person in the race, hand-picked by him, to be where we are, being the No. 2 in the state, his right-hand man. I don’t have to talk about leading the state of Florida. I already am. I’m the Lieutenant Governor of the great state of Florida for Governor Ron DeSantis. That speaks volumes. But what did he say when he appointed me? ‘Jay is Day 1 ready.’ If something were to happen to me, he can step in and lead this state right now. He hasn’t rescinded that statement, last I checked.”
Collins, who is polling around 10%, has been dogged by allegations that he made threatening remarks to a third party about Taryn Fenske, a former policy staffer who moved to DeSantis’ political operation. Sources close to Fenske and the administration have told Florida Politics they heard about the episode.
The allegation holds that Collins expected Fenske to build bridges to donors and endorsers before he entered the race and grew frustrated when she didn’t deliver.
Collins has called the claims “factless” and “baseless.”
Florida Politics has asked DeSantis’ office to comment on the conflict claims and to provide any documentation substantiating them. Those records requests remain unfulfilled.
A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski
July 21, 2026 at 5:28 pm
So by not endorsing Donalds DeSantis is endorsing Collins? Where does that leave Renner? Talk about jumping to conclusions. If DeSantis is scared of Trump or whoever he should just say he’s scared.
July 21, 2026 at 7:26 pm
These folks are tripping over themselves on who endorsed who. They seem to forget that its the PEOPLE who decide who they want. The People have spoke and Byron is who them want. It seems insane that these folks can see this from all polls and fundraising after 1 year. Get a clue!
July 21, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Trump says Donalds is the next governor of Florida. The people of Florida have nothing to do with it.
July 21, 2026 at 11:29 pm
Both Trump and DeSantis each only have 1 vote each even with their endorsements. Polls are made up more than 1 vote. People decide who they want their individual vote to go to based on many factors including who will keep Florida successful and safe.
July 22, 2026 at 9:23 am
People might vote but Trump decides who they vote for. Everyone knows that.
Comments are closed.
Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.
Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL
Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, Liam Fineout, A.G. Gancarski, Jesse Mendoza, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gabrielle Russon, Jesse Scheckner, Janelle Taylor, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.
Digital Services Manager: Daniel Dean
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704
© Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2026. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN
