Jay Collins endorses Charles Gambaro’s Primary challenge of Randy Fine in CD 6

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a candidate for Governor, is endorsing one of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine’s Republican Primary opponents.

The veteran said he supports Palm Coast Council Member Charles Gambaro, a U.S. Army Reserve Brigadier General.

The move came days before a Republican Primary where Fine faces four Republican challengers in Florida’s 6th Congressional District — including Gambaro — and where Collins is running for the GOP nomination for Governor.

“Charlie Gambaro is a Leader, Veteran, Warrior, and Patriot who has been fighting for what is right in his community and our nation for decades,” Collins said.

“He is a proven executive who can lead in any environment and situation. Charlie is exactly the kind of leader that Floridians deserve representing them in Congress. I am proud to offer Charlie my full support and endorsement. I encourage the residents of the 6th Congressional District to support his campaign and vote for him on August 18, 2026.”

Gambaro welcomed the support from Collins, a Purple Heart veteran who served in the Army Special Forces and later as a Green Beret.

“I am truly humbled and honored to have earned the support and endorsement of our Lt. Governor and fellow Warrior,” Gambaro said. “Jay Collins is an American hero who has displayed the grit and determination to fight for our nation and deliver common-sense solutions for Floridians. I look forward to working with Jay and driving positive solutions for our community, our state, and our nation.”

Fine notably has been a vocal and early supporter of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor. As Donalds leads in the polls, Collins has hoped to use his statewide office, to which he was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, to overtake Donalds on Tuesday.

But Fine has been a lightning rod for controversy since his own election to Congress in a Special Election last year. Gambaro has heavily criticized the Congressman’s rhetoric around the bombing of Palestinian civilians while also slamming the fact that Fine lives 100 miles outside of his district.

Notably, Fine has often run afoul of DeSantis as well. After initially endorsing DeSantis’ campaign for President in 2023, he publicly rescinded that support and endorsed President Donald Trump alleging the Governor had failed to enforce the state’s antisemitism laws. DeSantis later criticized Fine’s political underperformance in a district he once represented in Congress.