Florida lieutenant governor‑to‑be Jay Collins has sparked controversy by shifting from a pro‑AI voting record to a hard‑line stance against new data centers . While promoting the “Florida Strong Plan” ahead of the GOP primary,Collins now argues that AI expansion threatens the state’s power grid and water supply.

Collins’ 2022 Vote for SB 1264 Created Tax Breaks for AI Data Centers

During his tenure as a state senator, Collins voted for Senate Bill 1264, which offered tax incentives to AI data centers and eliminated the sunset clause on those exemptions.. That legislation was credited with attracting several multi‑billion‑dollar AI facilities to Florida, according to the bill’s sponsor.

“Florida Strong Plan” Calls for Operators to Fund Their Own Infrastructure

Collins now proposes the “Florida Strong Plan,” a policy that would require AI data‑center operators to cover the full cost of any additional electricity or water infrastructure needed. He says the move protects families from hidden utility bills and safeguards the grid, a point his campaign highlighted in a dystopian video showing a man begging an AI‑version of opponent Byron Donalds to halt new centers.

Opponent Byron Donalds Receives $5 Million AI Industry Backing

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, Collins’ primary rival, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and reportedly benefited from a $5 million contribution from the AI industry, according to campaign finance filings. The funding contrast underscores the political stakes surrounding AI policy in the state.

Campaign Says No Contradiction, Cites “DeSantis Standard”

A Collins spokesperson told reporters that the candidate’s shift reflects a consistent “DeSatis standard” of growth on Florida’s terms, not hypocrisy. The statement emphasized that protecting the grid and keeping utility costs low remain core Republican values.

Who Is Really Driving the AI Narrative in the Primary?

Critics note that the AI industry’s $5 million support for Donalds may be influencing the debate, while Collins’ own past votes suggest a personal reversal. The source familiar with the Republican primary called Collins’ anti‑AI rhetoric “shameless hypocrisy.”