‘Scared of his own shadow’: Florida GOP governor hopeful Jay Collins delivers unforgettable response after Byron Donalds rejects debate
Florida – Florida’s Republican race for governor took an unexpected turn after a dispute over campaign debates ended with one candidate making a dramatic statement that immediately became one of the most talked-about moments of the campaign.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Trump-endorsed front-runner in the Republican primary, has made it clear he will not participate in a GOP primary debate ahead of the August 18 election. His decision quickly drew criticism from rivals, but none responded more forcefully than Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a former Army Green Beret whose answer stunned reporters during a campaign stop.
Donalds defended his position by pointing to his commanding lead in public polling and argued there was little reason to share the stage with opponents who remain far behind. “Look at the polling in our race, every public poll out there now has me in the 50s and these other candidates are in single digits.”
He also dismissed suggestions that he should debate the rest of the Republican field. “Look, there are no participation trophies in politics. You have to earn your way onto the stage. These candidates want to be able to use my campaign to help theirs.”
Although Donalds has refused to participate, the Florida Republican Party noted that he is currently the only candidate who has actually met the qualifications required for a primary debate. According to party rules, participants must receive at least 10% support in qualifying polls, attract more than 10,000 donors, and raise over $10 million. None of the other Republican candidates have reached those thresholds.
Collins turns debate dispute into emotional moment
During a June 16 campaign event at Grey Man Armory in Milton, Collins was asked directly about Donalds’ comments regarding “participation trophies.”
Rather than simply criticizing his opponent, Collins chose to make a visual statement.
He replied, “The participation trophy is a bit of a slap in the face. Now, look, i don’t normally do this,” before removing his prosthetic leg and placing it on the podium. “There’s my participation trophy.”
The room reportedly fell silent as Collins used the moment to connect his military service with what he described as the responsibility of leadership.
The Republican candidate lost his leg during combat operations in Afghanistan but later returned to active duty following his amputation surgery.
Referring to the sacrifice behind the prosthetic, Collins continued: “This. You want to know why we can do this? I participated. I did things. I stepped into the breach when he didn’t have the courage. He didn’t have the will. He probably didn’t have the ability. The American people want leaders. They don’t want people who are scared of their own shadow, unwilling to debate. Cowardice doesn’t win races. But having the courage to act does. Next question.”
Today I was asked if a debate was a participation trophy.
Trust me, @ByronDonalds, I have enough of those. pic.twitter.com/3LEa5JxjF1
— Jay Collins (@JayCollinsFL) June 16, 2026
His response quickly became one of the defining moments of the Republican contest, shifting attention from polling numbers to the broader discussion over leadership, service, and whether candidates seeking the state’s highest office should publicly defend their ideas against opponents.
Front-runner maintains commanding lead
Despite the growing criticism over his refusal to debate, Donalds continues to hold a substantial advantage in the Republican primary.
A recent McLoughlin & Associates survey found the congressman leading with 54% support. Collins trailed with 5%, while James Fishback received 8% and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner stood at 2%. Another 31% of Republican voters remained undecided.
Those numbers reinforce Donalds’ position as the overwhelming favorite to secure the GOP nomination.
The winner of the Republican primary is widely expected to advance to a closely watched general election against the leading Democratic candidate, former Republican Congressman David Jolly, setting up what could become one of Florida’s most significant statewide races.
For now, however, the campaign conversation has centered less on policy differences than on the question of debates. Donalds argues his commanding lead means his rivals have not earned the opportunity to share a stage with him, while Collins insists that voters deserve candidates willing to defend their records and ideas in public.
With the primary still weeks away, the confrontation over debates—and Collins’ unforgettable demonstration with his prosthetic leg—has added a dramatic new chapter to an already high-profile contest that will determine who carries the Republican banner into November.
