DeSantis Appoints State Senator Jay Collins as Florida’s New Lieutenant Governor

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially named Republican state Senator Jay Collins as the state’s new lieutenant governor. The highly anticipated appointment was announced Tuesday in Tampa, with Collins immediately sworn into office.

Collins, an Army combat veteran and former Green Beret who lost a leg in service, brings a robust background to the role. He has served as chief operating officer of Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit providing disaster relief, and was recently involved in state-funded efforts to evacuate Americans from Israel amidst missile strikes. Governor DeSantis lauded Collins as a “principled conservative” and a key “ally,” even playfully calling him “the Chuck Norris of Florida politics.”

The selection of Senator Collins is being closely watched, particularly as Governor DeSantis’s second term nears its end in 2026. With DeSantis ineligible for re-election, this appointment could signal an attempt to elevate a potential successor, potentially setting the stage for future political dynamics, including a possible proxy contest with former President Donald Trump over the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Collins, who was elected to the state Senate in 2022 and has been a steadfast supporter of DeSantis’s agenda, pledged to help “finish the mission and keep Florida strong,” aligning with the governor’s vision for Florida as “the country’s conservative proving grounds.” The lieutenant governor position, largely ceremonial in Florida, becomes critical should the governor be unable to serve. The seat had been vacant since February following the departure of former Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez.

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