TAMPA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed State Sen. Jay Collins because the state’s lieutenant governor.
The governor’s announcement and Collins’ swearing-in ceremony occurred at a information convention in Tampa on Tuesday morning.
Collins succeeds Jeanette Nunez, who stepped down earlier this 12 months after being named president of Florida Worldwide College.
Pictured: New Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is sworn in at a information convention in Tampa on Aug. 12, 2025.
Who’s Jay Collins?
The backstory:
Collins has represented District 14 — which covers western parts of Hillsborough County — within the Florida Senate since his election in 2022.
RELATED: Republican Jay Collins desperate to get to work after defeating longtime state senator Janet Cruz
Previous to holding public workplace, Collins served within the U.S. Military from 1995 till 2018, together with a number of abroad deployments as a Inexperienced Beret. Collins had his leg amputated after struggling persistent accidents throughout fight, however continued to serve 5 extra years as a Inexperienced Beret and earned a Purple Coronary heart.
Collins earned a Bachelor of Science diploma in well being sciences from American Army College in 2010, graduating summa cum laude. He then earned a Grasp of Science diploma in organizational management from Norwich College in 2012.
Courtesy: Florida Senate.
Earlier this 12 months, Collins made headlines when he filed Senate Invoice 918, which might have allowed youngsters to work greater than 30 hours per week. It additionally would have allowed 14-and 15-year-olds who’ve graduated from highschool, earned a GED, are homeschooled, or attend digital faculty to work longer hours. The invoice didn’t make it to the complete Senate ground.
In June, Collins was a key participant in organizing rescue flights for Individuals to come back dwelling from Israel because the abroad battle with Iran escalated.
‘A person of motion’
What they’re saying:
Throughout Tuesday’s information convention, DeSantis praised Collins’ conservative values and talent to guide, referring to him as “the Chuck Norris of Florida politics.”
“He is been a person of motion,” DeSantis mentioned. “He has delivered conservative wins and, I believe, has been one of the crucial productive senators we’ve had in fashionable Florida historical past.”
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a information convention in Tampa on Aug. 12, 2025.
After being sworn in, Collins echoed the governor’s statements about “conserving Florida robust.”
“The battlefield might change, however the mission stays the identical,” Collins mentioned. “We’re going to shield each single factor that issues. We won’t cease our struggle. We won’t decelerate.”
Collins additionally spoke about his want to be a frontrunner for all Floridians.
“No matter the place you reside or the place your politics are, I would like you to know that as your lieutenant governor, I’ve your again,” Collins mentioned.
Pictured: New Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins speaks at a information convention in Tampa on Aug. 12, 2025.
In a press release launched previous to Tuesday’s information convention, the Republican Get together of Florida congratulated Collins on his appointment.
“The Republican Get together of Florida (RPOF) proudly congratulates State Senator and adorned Military Inexperienced Beret Jay Collins on his appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis to function Florida’s subsequent Lieutenant Governor. Collins’ appointment fills the emptiness left by former Lieutenant Governor Jeannette Nuñez, who was appointed President of Florida Worldwide College in February.
“Congratulations to Senator Jay Collins on this thrilling appointment,” mentioned Chairman Evan Energy. “Collins served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and twice in South America throughout his distinguished army profession, demonstrating steadfast dedication to our nation. Within the Florida Senate, he has been a robust and dependable advocate for supporting households, preserving group values, and defending particular person freedoms.”
Senator Collins served over twenty years within the Military Particular Forces, incomes the Purple Coronary heart for his service in fight. His 23-year army profession displays a deep dedication to his nation and to defending its ideas. After retiring from the army, Collins based a nonprofit group supporting veterans, first responders, and Floridians in want.
In 2022, Collins was elected to the Florida Senate, defeating incumbent Democrat Janet Cruz in a double-digit win that flipped the seat to Republican management. Within the Senate, he has centered on insurance policies that promote restricted authorities, particular person liberties, and public security.
The Republican Get together of Florida congratulates Senator Jay Collins on his appointment and appears ahead to his continued service in his new function.”
The Supply: This story was written with data from a press convention in Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 12, 2025, with extra particulars from earlier FOX 13 Information reviews, the Republican Get together of Florida, Inexperienced Beret PAC, and Jay Collins’ biography on the Florida Senate’s official web site.
