Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who is running for governor, outlined his plans on Wednesday afternoon during a campaign stop in Miami, dubbing his platform as "Stop the Bullsh!t".
Speaking to reporters and supporters in a sky-high penthouse at the Aston Martin Residences, he addressed rising concerns among Floridians about water usage, infrastructure and energy, especially as they relate to the construction of AI data centers.
鈥淲hen you look at the data center argument, there is one clear path,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淵ou don't need to pay for a hyperscaler, not today, not now, not ever. You don't need to deal with your water quality being diminished or access being cut.鈥�
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He called for strict guardrails on 鈥渉yperscaler鈥� data centers to conserve the energy and water they might use, but called moratoriums on the centers as not the American way and probably not legal. He also noted the safety concerns of unregulated AI.
"How many of you want to see hyperscalers go everywhere unchecked without leadership? Is that a world we want our kids to be in?鈥� Collins said. 鈥淗ow many of you have ever stopped and thought about the digital or cyber influence and footprint your kids find themselves in?鈥�
Collins is facing an uphill challenge to win the Republican gubernatorial primary in August against frontrunner Congressman Byron Donalds, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Collins is hoping to strengthen his campaign via his work relationship with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed him as lieutenant governor.
DeSantis tapped Collins to be his lieutenant governor last August, but the current governor has not made any endorsement in this year鈥檚 gubernatorial race.
Collins was first elected to Florida鈥檚 Republican-dominated state Senate in 2022 and has been one of DeSantis鈥� key allies in the Legislature.
Collins said Wednesday he is concerned about Florida鈥檚 freedom. As a gubernatorial candidate, he touts his conservative politics and 23 years of military service to protect Florida鈥檚 states鈥� rights from 鈥渂ureaucratic promises and dealings.鈥�
鈥淥ur people are what matters in Florida because as a protector, I understand something,鈥� Collins said. 鈥淚t's not about politics. It's about you. It's about people.鈥�
Among other is to 鈥減ut people over politics鈥� and increasing support for law enforcement and Immigration Customs and Enforcement operations, and lowering property taxes for Florida homeowners.
Current polls favor Donalds to win the Republican primary. Along with Trump's backing, Donalds has gotten support from of the Florida House.
Collins has criticized Donalds for not agreeing to a debate with him, and that he needs to compete for the right to win the race.
鈥淏yron Donalds thinks that he has been crowned king, but we already said in 1776 that we don鈥檛 crown people,鈥� Collins said. 鈥溾�奧e have to force Byron to use his voice, get in the ring, and compete for the right to lead this state.鈥�
