Gov. Ron DeSantis has finally named his second-in-command. State Sen. Jay Collins, a former Green Beret, was announced as DeSantis's lieutenant governor during a press conference Tuesday at (fittingly) the Tampa Bay Green Beret Association.
"I am locked in. I am ready to go. What I want you to know is this, and my friends will know without a shadow of a doubt this next word is one of my defining characteristics - I am relentless in the pursuit of excellence," Collins said.
"Excellence is a choice. We will not falter. We will not fail. We will not stop until we keep fighting and achieve excellence in all that we do, because that is the Florida standard, and that is our way," Collins continued.
DeSantis, a close friend of Collins, called his new lieutenant governor a "man of action" ahead of his introduction.
"He has delivered Conservative wins, and I think has been one of the most productive senators we have had in modern Florida history," DeSantis said.
Collins represented District 14, which includes part of Tampa. Elected in 2022, he defeated incumbent Democrat Janet Cruz by around 10 points, flipping the seat to GOP control.
During his time in the Senate, Collins has advocated for policies on limited government, individual liberties, and public safety. He takes over for former Lt. Gov Jeanette Nuñez, who resigned to become the interim (and later) president of Florida International University (FIU).
Before politics, Collins served over two decades in the Army Special Forces, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service. His leg was also eventually amputated while serving active duty in Afghanistan in 2007.
After retiring from the military, Collins founded a nonprofit organization supporting veterans, first responders, and Floridians in need.
However, his military service wasn't done. In June, Collins helped evacuate trapped Americans from Israel during escalations between the Jewish State and Iran.
"He is the Chuck Norris of Florida politics," DeSantis joked on Collins' deployment to Israel.
Numerous Florida officials, including Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), congratulated Collins on his appointment. The Republican Party of Florida also congratulated Collins in a press release
"Congratulations to Senator Jay Collins on this exciting appointment," Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said in a news release. "Collins served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and twice in South America during his distinguished military career, demonstrating steadfast dedication to our country. In the Florida Senate, he has been a strong and reliable advocate for supporting families, preserving community values, and protecting individual freedoms."
