Lt. Gov. Jay Collins will host a news conference Monday at 10 a.m. at McCall's Tavern on Alverez Ave. to present details about his "Live Florida" initiative. The comprehensive plan focuses on helping Florida seniors remain financially secure and independent during their retirement years. Collins is using the announcement as part of his campaign for Governor.
The initiative addresses major financial challenges confronting Florida's growing senior population, including rising housing costs, insurance premiums, healthcare expenses, and everyday living costs. Collins will outline proposals to reduce elderly fraud and cybersecurity threats that target retirees while also presenting increased consumer protections and public safety measures designed to improve seniors' quality of life. He previously established Operation Senior Shield in November while serving as Lieutenant Governor, a program that sends timely text and email alerts to help older adults and their caregivers stay informed about scammer tactics. During a Jacksonville launch event last year, Collins explained the program's purpose. "Senior Shield provides timely text and email alerts, so older adults and caregivers can stay ahead of scammers," he said. "We're going to make you hard targets. You have to have the information to understand what's going on. When a new threat appears, Floridians will know about it before the scammers get to their door, their inbox, or their phone."
Collins faces significant competition in the Republican Primary Election scheduled for August 18. He is running against U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who currently leads in the party contest. Collins acknowledged the challenging circumstances but expressed frustration with his opponent's reluctance to engage in debates. During an appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Collins criticized Donalds directly. "You can't hide in the shadows. You can't pull a Biden and hide in a corner behind your couch in the basement. You've got to come out and debate, and I'm very frustrated that Byron Donalds is unwilling to do that. I think he's got to stand up and show up. If you're that far ahead, then what are you scared of? Step up, communicate, show up at a debate stage," Collins said.
Collins serves as the Republican lieutenant to Gov. Ron DeSantis and has positioned senior protections as a key element of his gubernatorial platform. The winner of the August primary will advance to the General Election. Collins' emphasis on senior financial security reflects his broader campaign message about affordability for Florida's older residents.