Disgraced Former Congressman Chris Collins Says He’s Running in Florida to Get Back Into “Galas and Fundraisers,” and Trump Supporters Aren’t Buying It
Every election season brings surprises, but some announcements are harder to believe than others. Chris Collins, the former New York Congressman who resigned in disgrace after pleading guilty to insider trading, is now saying he wants to return to Washington. This time, not in New York, but in Florida’s 19th District, a deep-red stronghold currently represented by Byron Donalds. With Donalds eyeing the Governor’s mansion in 2026, Collins sees an opening and is hoping voters will let him back in. But when you listen to his own words, it becomes clear why conservatives are sounding the alarm.
Collins admitted in an interview that part of the reason he wants to run is because he misses the invitations to galas, fundraisers, and not-for-profit board events. He described it as “kind of lonely” to be left out after his conviction and resignation. Instead of sounding like a man eager to serve his country, it came across like someone desperate to be welcomed back into high society. He even said his goal was twofold: reclaim his reputation and go back on his own terms, so he could eventually retire in peace. That is not the mission of a public servant, and people know it.
The statements raised eyebrows across Florida and beyond. For a man once convicted of betraying the public trust to say he wants to run again just to get access to cocktail parties and board dinners is a slap in the face to voters who expect integrity. Congress is supposed to be about serving the American people, not serving yourself or finding ways to be popular among elites. If that’s the best reason Collins can offer, it’s no wonder many Trump supporters are saying loudly: “No thanks.”
It’s not just his words that are concerning, it’s also his record. Collins’ conservative score during his time in Congress was among the weakest in the Republican conference. He often sided with establishment positions, not the America First movement. To put it bluntly, his record looked closer to Democrats like Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez than it did to the conservative fighters who have stood with Donald Trump and defended the movement from endless attacks. That’s not the kind of voting history Florida’s 19th District should accept.
Trump supporters have made it clear what they want: leaders who put America First, who fight against the Washington swamp, who defend our values, and who don’t back down under pressure. They want representatives who will support Trump’s second term agenda, protect our borders, defend free speech, and push back against the radical left. Chris Collins had his chance in Congress, and he blew it. Not only did he blow it, he ended his career in disgrace, and needed a pardon from Trump just to move on with his life. That’s not a foundation for another campaign.
Florida is filled with strong conservatives ready to serve. The idea that the state needs a disgraced New Yorker to parachute into a deep-red district just to get back into fancy fundraisers is insulting to the people who have worked hard to build credibility and trust in their communities. Trump supporters in Florida have built a movement that has reshaped politics across the state, and they deserve someone who will carry that banner with pride, not someone looking for redemption in the spotlight.
At the end of the day, voters have a choice. They can send someone to Congress who will fight for Trump’s America First agenda, or they can hand the seat to a man who admits he just wants to feel welcome at galas again. The answer should be clear. The people of Florida’s 19th deserve better than Chris Collins. They deserve a fighter, not a social climber.
