TAMPA, Fla. — State Sen. Jay Collins is Florida's new lieutenant governor, the Florida Republican Party disclosed Tuesday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was expected to make the announcement official Tuesday morning at a news conference in Tampa.

It’s a position that’s been vacant since February. That’s when former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez left the position to become president of Florida International University.

Collins was first elected to office in November 2022 to represent Tampa and East Hillsborough County.

Collins had said he was interested in the job and might even run for governor in 2026. DeSantis cannot seek reelection because of term limits.

In the Florida Legislature, Collins is chairman of the Senate's transportation committee, vice chair of the military and veterans affairs,

See Full Page