Former Republican Rep. Chris Collins (NY-27), who now lives in Florida, said he is prepared to run for a seat in Florida’s 19th District should it become available.

Collins made headlines for being sentenced to 26 months in federal prison in 2019, when he pleaded guilty to insider trading and lying to the FBI, which he said he did to protect his son.

Two months into his sentence, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

“I know now what depression is. I can tell you I didn’t know what it was prior to that. I have come back into the sunlight,” said Collins, describing a new-found sense of confidence after serving as a keynote speaker for a Trump rally.

A political expert said having served time in federal prison and being pardoned have no impact on Collins’ eligibility to run for office.

Shawn Donahue, a clinical assistant professor in political science at the University at Buffalo, said what may have a bigger impact on voters is an endorsement from Trump.

“Donald Trump in the primaries in 2022 was very successful in getting a lot of the folks that he endorsed to win primaries, especially in a lot of safe Republican seats,” Donahue said.

A campaign remains hypothetical depending on if current FL-19 Rep. Byron Donalds seeks a gubernatorial bid. Collins said he would not go up against Donalds in a primary.