TAMPA – Noting that the Republican primary race for governor is still more than a year away, Gov. Ron DeSantis hesitated to say anything too definitive about the contest to succeed him on Wednesday. But he did acknowledge that new Lt.

DeSantis on Tuesday is expected to appoint Collins as his lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial position that has been vacant since February, when former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez left the post to become president of Florida International University.

TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Tampa on Tuesday morning, with the Republican Party of Florida confirming he will announce State Sen. Jay Collins as the state’s lieutenant governor. The governor plans to speak at 10 a.m. at Team House Tampa, a veteran-owned event space and underground tavern off S. Dale Mabry Hwy.