DeSantis-Endorsed Green Beret Jay Collins Releases Video For State Senate Run

TAMPA (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis-endorsed Republican Jay Collins dropped a new video for his Senate run.

Jarrid “Jay” Collins, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret and Purple Heart Amputee, is running in State Senate District 14 against Democrat Janet Cruz.

The video begins with the phrase, ‘A Better Life, right?’ stating it’s why thousands of people are running to Florida. Collins says he will serve, solve problems, and help build a better economy.

According to his website, Collins lives in Tampa with his wife of 21 years Layla, and has two young sons, Gabe and Colt.

As a Green Beret, Collins deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and twice to South America. In his 2007 Afghanistan deployment, Collins was hit in the arm, continued fighting, and later helped perform surgery on himself in the field of battle. Staying in country, he returned to full combat operations after just 30 days of recovery.

A few months later, he sustained injuries that would eventually lead to the amputation of his leg years later. Following his amputation, Collins requalified as a fully deployable Green Beret and served over five more years on active duty. 

Following 23 years of service, Collins took a position with a nonprofit, overseeing the distribution of millions of meals to veterans, first responders, and those in need.

Collin’s website says through his non-profit work across the country, it became clear to him that most Americans share the same concerns: they want their families to succeed, their children to have better lives than them, and to improve their communities. 

DeSantis endorsed Collins saying, “I’m proud to support Jay Collins for Senate District 14,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Jay is a conservative, a fighter, and a veteran. He was a Green Beret and Purple Heart Amputee. I look forward to serving alongside him in Tallahassee.”