Jay Collins 'Chuck Norris of Florida' Named Lieutenant Governor
Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed State Sen. Jay Collins of Tampa as Florida's new Lieutenant Governor, selecting a decorated former Green Beret whose background and political alignment with DeSantis suggest more than just a supporting role. With both DeSantis and Collins now leading the state as military veterans, Florida becomes the only state in the nation with two veterans serving as its top executives—a symbolic move underscoring the administration's "veteran-friendly" identity.
"Put aside the politician label—this is a real dude," said Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch during a recent appearance on The Ryan Gorman Show. Collins has not only served in uniform but has also operated in global crisis zones, helping evacuate Americans from conflict areas like Gaza and Israel. He remains active in disaster recovery and charitable efforts, which, according to Schorsch, will impress Floridians as they get to know him better. "He's the Chuck Norris of Florida politics," DeSantis said during the announcement.
The timing of the pick raised some eyebrows. Schorsch noted that Collins had long been a likely candidate for the role but that the official announcement came in the middle of August when many Floridians are preoccupied with back-to-school season and fantasy football. "Nobody I know is paying attention to the news right now," Schorsch quipped. Behind the scenes, there was reportedly some friction over Collins' eagerness—sources indicated he was quick to start thinking about a gubernatorial run the moment the LG offer was made.
That future run may already be in motion. Collins is expected to be DeSantis's handpicked successor in the 2026 Republican primary for governor, potentially facing Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds. Schorsch predicted a formal campaign announcement could come as early as October 1. Collins' early polling, however, shows him trailing Donalds significantly when voters are told about the Trump endorsement, raising questions about whether another DeSantis ally, possibly even First Lady Casey DeSantis, might step in if Collins can't gain traction.
As for how Trump World views the appointment? "They're watching it intensely," Schorsch said, noting that key figures close to Trump are receiving regular updates on Florida's political dynamics.
Want to hear more about what Collins' appointment could mean for Florida's future—and why the DeSantis political machine might still pivot to Casey? Listen to the full episode of The Ryan Gorman Show podcast for all the insider analysis.