Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his pick for Floridas next lieutenant governor in Tampa later this morning and, according to a high-ranking Republican source, the rumors were true: State Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) is getting the job.

Collins, a former Green Beret and close DeSantis ally in the state Senate, has built a reputation as a staunch supporter of gun rights and veterans issues. He has sponsored bills to expand access to firearms, sought to roll back restrictions passed after the 2018 Parkland school shooting, and lower the states minimum gun purchase age back to 18.

The lieutenant governors office has been vacant since February, when Jeanette Nuez resigned to become president of Florida International University.

Collins, who grew up in Florida raised by his grandparen

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