Lt. Gov. Collins raises nearly $1.75M in first quarter of Florida governor campaign

Large donation from prominent DeSantis backer signals effort to unite GOP base behind Collins' bid

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:17pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of a Florida state capitol building in a warm, golden light, with deep shadows casting across the facade, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the gravity of the political process.The Florida state capitol stands as a symbol of the high-stakes political battle unfolding in the race for governor.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. 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.

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 large donation from a DeSantis backer could signal an effort to unite the Republican base behind Collins' campaign.

The details

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins launched his campaign for Florida Governor in early 2026. The bulk of his $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.

  • 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.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This strong first-quarter fundraising haul for Lt. Gov. Collins suggests he may be a formidable challenger in the Florida gubernatorial race, despite initial doubts about his ability to raise money. The large donation from a prominent DeSantis backer could signal an effort to unite the Republican base behind Collins' campaign.