On May 18, 2009 McCollum announced his candidacy for Governor of Florida.
The election determined the successor of Charlie Crist who later lost his bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

McCollum opposed federal health care mandates in Florida, decrying them as an unconstitutional "tax on living," and joined with 13 other state attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit.
The majority of Florida voters opposed such a lawsuit according to polling in April 2010.
He has advocated a state constitutional amendment that would opt Florida out of Washington mandates on health care, although questions about whether such an amendment would be constitutional have been raised.
On September 8, 2009 McCollum said he supported Medicare and Medicaid programs but opposed a government-run 'public option' for health insurance.

On August 24, 2010, McCollum lost the Republican primary election to Rick Scott.
On May 18, 2009 McCollum announced his candidacy for Governor of Florida. The election determined the successor of Charlie Crist who later lost his bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
McCollum opposed federal health care mandates in Florida, decrying them as an unconstitutional "tax on living," and joined with 13 other state attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit. The majority of Florida voters opposed such a lawsuit according to polling in April 2010. He has advocated a state constitutional amendment that would opt Florida out of Washington mandates on health care, although questions about whether such an amendment would be constitutional have been raised. On September 8, 2009 McCollum said he supported Medicare and Medicaid programs but opposed a government-run 'public option' for health insurance.
On August 24, 2010, McCollum lost the Republican primary election to Rick Scott.
Bill McCollum