Jay Collins

Florida

Jay Collins is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces combat veteran who received a number of debilitating injuries that led to the loss of his left leg. He served five additional years as a Green Beret post-amputation, retiring after completing over 23 years of service.

Following his military service, Jay took a position with Operation BBQ Relief, overseeing the distribution of millions of meals to Americans following natural disasters while helping veterans and their families overcome shared experiences using food as a catalyst.

In November of 2022, he was formally elected to the Florida Senate and began serving as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. As chair, he focused on the stabilization, revitalization, and growth of this critical economic space. Jay believes that we have to make the economics of agriculture work, or we will surely lose this vital space. Additionally, he has written and passed over 40 unique pieces of legislation and championed largely complex and difficult legislative issues.

He is married to his wife of 24 years Layla, a 20-year veteran. Together, they have 2 children, Gabe (12) and Colt (9), and attend Grace Family Church in Odessa, Florida.