Jay Collins, state senator representing the Tampa area, was appointed lieutenant governor of Florida on Tuesday by second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Collins succeeds Jeanette Nunez. She was named interim president of Florida International University in Tallahassee in early February.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 12 named state Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, as Florida's next lieutenant governor, ending a six-month vacancy in the position.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) chose Republican state Sen. Jay Collins to be the state’s next lieutenant governor, ending a six-month absence. Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez left the role in February to assume the position of interim president of Florida International University.