Jay Collins raises nearly $1.75 million in first quarter as active candidate

Big Ron DeSantis donor gives more than half of the total

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:17pm

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A solitary figure of a politician standing alone in a dimly lit government office, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative, cinematic mood.A prominent donor's large contribution to the Collins campaign signals an effort to unite the Republican base behind the Lieutenant Governor's gubernatorial bid.Today in Tampa

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who is running for Governor of Florida, raised nearly $1.75 million in the first quarter of 2026 since launching his campaign. This fundraising total exceeded expectations, as Collins had said the 'lobby corps' did not back him and instead preferred U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

Why it matters

Fundraising numbers are a key indicator of a candidate's viability and support, especially in a high-profile race like the Florida gubernatorial election. Collins' strong first-quarter haul suggests he may be a formidable challenger, despite initial doubts about his ability to raise money.

The details

The bulk of Collins' $1.75 million in first-quarter fundraising, over half the total, came from a single major donor - a prominent supporter of outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. This large donation from a DeSantis backer could signal an effort to unite the Republican base behind Collins' campaign.

  • Collins launched his campaign for Florida Governor in early 2026.

The players

Jay Collins

The current Lieutenant Governor of Florida who is running for Governor.

Byron Donalds

A U.S. Representative from Florida who was preferred by the 'lobby corps' over Collins.

Ron DeSantis

The outgoing Governor of Florida.

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What’s next

Collins will need to maintain this fundraising momentum throughout the campaign season to remain competitive against other Republican candidates.

The takeaway

Collins' strong first-quarter fundraising, fueled in part by a major donor tied to the outgoing governor, suggests he may be a formidable contender for the Republican nomination despite initial doubts about his ability to raise money.