DeSantis Taps Collins for Lieutenant Governor

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appointed Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and retired Army Green Beret, to the long-vacant position of lieutenant governor amid speculation that Collins could run for governor in 2026.

DeSantis said he selected Collins, who served 23 years in the military, based on recent actions such as assisting rescue workers in areas of the state hit by hurricanes and participating in efforts to rescue Floridians in Israel. DeSantis said Collins would be capable of serving as governor “if the need were ever to arise.”

“I think he’s been one of the most productive senators we have had in modern Florida history,” DeSantis said while making the announcement at the Tampa Green Beret Association’s Team House. “And on all the big issues, he not only was an ally of mine, he was standing up for you.”

DeSantis characterized Collins as “a warrior” and “not necessarily seeking the camera, but just seeking to make a difference.” That included supporting efforts on issues such as combatting illegal immigration and revamping election laws.

Collins, who was sworn in to the $135,000-a-year position by Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans, told DeSantis, who served in the Navy, “I have your back.”

“Nobody can debate the fact that today, Florida is the conservative proving grounds of the United States of America because this family put us there,” Collins said of DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.

The lieutenant governor position had been vacant since February when Jeanette Nuñez — DeSantis’ 2018 and 2022 running mate — was named interim president of Florida International University. She was later named president.

Collins did not take questions from the podium at Tuesday’s announcement.

DeSantis cannot run again in 2026 because of term limits, and Collins is being talked about as DeSantis’ candidate for governor. Casey DeSantis also has been long rumored as a potential candidate.

Congressman Bryon Donalds, a Naples Republican, is running for governor with the backing of President Donald Trump. Donalds on Tuesday congratulated Collins in a post on X.

“I wish him all the best and look forward to working together on behalf of our great state,” Donalds said in the post.

DeSantis’ choice of Collins for lieutenant governor was the latest in a series of major appointments.

The governor last month appointed former Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, to serve as state chief financial officer. In February, DeSantis appointed his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, to serve as attorney general. That came after DeSantis appointed former Attorney General Ashley Moody to a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Collins, who was injured twice while deployed to Afghanistan, was elected to the Senate in 2022, when he defeated incumbent Democrat Janet Cruz. He has worked as chief operating officer for the non-profit Operation BBQ Relief. During this year’s legislative session, Collins chaired the Senate Transportation Committee.

Last year, Collins was the Senate sponsor of a wide-ranging energy bill that included easing regulations on building natural-gas pipelines and banning offshore wind-energy generation. In 2023, he helped sponsor legislation that allowed Floridians to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses.

DeSantis will have to call a special election to replace Collins in Senate District 14, which covers part of Hillsborough County.

DeSantis has scheduled a Sept. 30 special primary election and Dec. 9 special general election to replace Ingoglia in Senate District 11, which is made up of Citrus, Hernando, Sumter and part of Pasco counties.