Apopka Vice Mayor/Commissioner Diane Velazquez.
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Apopka Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez has endorsed Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins in his campaign for governor. Velazquez, a former NYPD detective, said Collins’ support for law enforcement, veterans, and first responders influenced her decision. Collins said public safety remains a top priority as he campaigns to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis.
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Apopka Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez has endorsed Jay Collins in Florida’s race for governor, citing his support for law enforcement, veterans, and public safety.
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The endorsement was announced in a campaign release from Collins, who currently serves as Florida’s lieutenant governor under Ron DeSantis and is seeking to become the state’s next governor.
“I am honored to endorse Lt. Governor Jay Collins as he campaigns to be the next governor of Florida,” Velazquez said in the release. “As a former law enforcement officer, Jay Collins is the only candidate I trust to stand for law and order and support our first responders. He backs the blue, he fights for our veterans, and he supports strong families.”
Velazquez also pointed to Collins’ military background and current role in state government.
“I am grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for his 23 years of dedicated service to our country in uniform, as well as his current service as our Lt. Governor,” she said. “I look forward to seeing him in office as our next governor.”
Collins said he was honored to receive Velazquez’s endorsement and emphasized public safety as a central focus of his campaign.
“It is an honor to have Vice Mayor Velazquez’s support as I run for governor,” Collins said. “She understands the importance of prioritizing public safety. Keeping Florida’s families safe is my top priority.”
He also referenced his work alongside DeSantis and framed his campaign around continuing conservative policies enacted in Florida in recent years.
“My campaign is gaining momentum because Floridians know how critical it is to double down on our conservative wins,” Collins said. “Over the past several years, I’ve worked alongside Governor DeSantis to make this the Free State of Florida. We can’t afford to lose any ground.”
Velazquez has served on the Apopka City Commission since 2014, representing Seat 2, with the exception of a two-year period from 2018 to 2020 when she served as Orange County’s District 2 Planning and Zoning commissioner.
Before entering public office, Velázquez worked for the New York City Police Department, where she retired after 21 years of service. According to the release, she attained the rank of Detective 2nd Grade and worked as a criminal and insurance fraud investigator.
Collins is a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and served in combat operations around the world before entering Florida politics. He currently serves as lieutenant governor and is campaigning to succeed DeSantis in the governor’s office.
Key Points:
- Apopka Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez has endorsed Jay Collins in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
- Velazquez cited Collins’ support for law enforcement, first responders, veterans, and public safety as major reasons for her endorsement.
- Collins said that keeping Florida families safe will remain a top priority if elected governor, and he highlighted his work alongside Ron DeSantis.
- Velazquez brings a long law enforcement background to the endorsement, having served 21 years with the New York City Police Department before entering public office in Apopka.
- Collins is a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and currently serves as Florida’s lieutenant governor while campaigning to succeed DeSantis as governor.
