State Senator, Ex-Green Beret Chosen As FL's New Lt. Gov.

State Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, is the new lieutenant governor for Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appointed Collins to fill the vacant seat and succeed former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who left the role earlier in the year to become president of Florida International University in Miami.

"Senator Collins is the Chuck Norris of Florida politics," DeSantis said at a news conference, "and I am proud to announce today that I am appointing him to be the next lieutenant governor of the Free State of Florida."

Collins was elected to state office in 2024, and his term was set to expire in 2026.

In his search for the next lieutenant governor, DeSantis said he aimed for someone who had a basis for conservative principles.

"As our state senator from Tampa, he's been a man of action," the governor said. "He has delivered conservative wins, and I think has been one of the most productive senators we have had in modern Florida history and on all the big issues, he was not only an ally mine, he was standing up for you."

When natural disasters hit Florida, DeSantis said Collins used his nonprofit to feed first responders and those displaced; and when conflict broke out, Collins ventured to war-ridden Israel to rescue trapped Floridians.

The military veteran has served as chair of the transportation committee and the vice chair of the military and veterans affairs, space and domestic security committee. During his time as senator, Collins additionally served on committees targeting education and elections.

Collins was a Green Beret, or a soldier in the Army Special Forces, for five years after his leg was amputated, according to his campaign biography. Overall, he served 20 years in the service.

While in the military, DeSantis said Collins partook in "dangerous mission." He has deployed to Iraq, South America and Afghanistan, read his campaign biography.

"He served with distinction and integrity in some of the most high-octane type of combat missions you can have," DeSantis said. "He was wounded in action and earned a Purple Heart."

Collins was also the recipient of a bronze star in the Legion of Merit. When he lost one of his legs, he used a prosthetic leg to become a Green Beret, DeSantis said.

The new appointee is looking to continue growing Florida's economy.

"That's what people need," Collins said. "That's what Florida needs."

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