DeSantis on Tuesday appointed Collins as his lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial position that has been vacant since February, when former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez left the post to become president of Florida International University.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis selected Republican state Sen. Jay Collins to be his next lieutenant governor on Tuesday, immediately leading to speculation that the retired Army Green Beret could be the candidate to run for governor in 2026 and continue the DeSantis legacy.

TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed State Sen. Jay Collins as the state’s lieutenant governor. The governor's announcement and Collins' swearing-in ceremony took place at a news conference in Tampa on Tuesday morning.