Ron DeSantis just made one stunning announcement that has Byron Donalds scrambling for damage control

The Florida governor’s race just got a whole lot more interesting.

Ron DeSantis has been keeping everyone guessing about his next move for months.

And Ron DeSantis just made one stunning announcement that has Byron Donalds scrambling for damage control.

DeSantis taps military hero as his lieutenant governor

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis finally ended months of speculation by announcing his choice for lieutenant governor at the Tampa Green Beret Association on Tuesday.

The governor selected State Senator Jay Collins, a decorated Green Beret and one of his most loyal allies in the state legislature.

Collins brings serious military credentials to the ticket – he served 23 years in the military with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, even returning to active duty with the Green Berets after having part of his leg amputated during his service.

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The Montana native first won his Senate seat in 2022 after receiving a field-clearing endorsement from DeSantis, defeating Democrat Janet Cruz in a Tampa district.

Since then, Collins has proven himself to be one of DeSantis’ most vocal defenders, even standing up for controversial programs like the Hope Florida initiative spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis when it came under fire from the Republican-controlled House.

Collins also joined DeSantis’ rescue mission to help Americans fleeing Israel in June, showing his continued commitment to serving alongside the governor.

The position has been vacant since February when former Lieutenant Governor Jeannette Nuñez resigned to become president of Florida International University in Miami.

“If the governor asks me to do that, you serve your state. How do you say no to that?” Collins previously told Politico about potentially taking the role.

DeSantis just fired the opening shot in a 2026 war with Trump

Here’s what DeSantis really accomplished with this move – he put his own guy in position to take on Trump’s handpicked candidate for governor.

Trump already threw his weight behind Byron Donalds for the governor’s mansion.

Now DeSantis has his own horse in the race, and Collins comes with serious military credentials that could play well with Florida voters.

DeSantis has notably refused to endorse Donalds, keeping his options open for supporting someone else – and that someone else could very well be his new lieutenant governor.

Collins has made no secret of his interest in potentially running for governor, telling attendees at the Florida Freedom Forum earlier this month that “historically, you don’t ever have just one candidate in the Primary.”

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“I believe you should have a choice,” Collins added, signaling his willingness to challenge Donalds if the opportunity presents itself.

The numbers tell a different story about where each potential candidate stands right now.

Donalds has raised more than $22 million for his gubernatorial campaign, giving him a massive financial advantage.

Meanwhile, Collins has less than $90,000 in his campaign account and roughly $600,000 in his political committee, Quiet Professionals FL.

Collins now gets the lieutenant governor’s office as his launching pad.

That’s a year to build name recognition and start raising serious money.

Why the lieutenant governor’s job matters this time

Most lieutenant governors in Florida end up as political footnotes – the job doesn’t have much power attached to it.

Buddy MacKay tried to use the position to run for governor back in 1998.

However, Jeb Bush crushed him.

But Collins isn’t your typical lieutenant governor – he’s a decorated war hero with a compelling personal story and unquestioned loyalty to the DeSantis agenda.

His appointment also raises questions about First Lady Casey DeSantis, who had been rumored as a potential gubernatorial candidate herself.

While she did little to tamp down speculation at one point, she hasn’t made any firm moves toward launching a campaign as the months have stretched on.

DeSantis’ decision to elevate Collins suggests he may be looking for someone other than his wife to carry on his political legacy in Tallahassee.

This sets up a fascinating showdown for 2026.

Trump endorsed Donalds because he wants to keep his fingerprints on Florida politics long after he leaves Washington, D.C.

DeSantis clearly has other ideas. He’s not about to hand over control of his political machine without a fight.

The smart money says this won’t be your typical Republican primary – it’s going to be Trump loyalists versus the DeSantis wing, with Collins carrying the governor’s banner.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for both the Trump and DeSantis camps as they position themselves for what could be a defining primary battle in one of America’s most important swing states.

Collins may be starting from behind in the fundraising game, but he’s got something money can’t buy – the backing of a governor who knows how to win elections in the Sunshine State.

¹ Kimberly Leonard and Gary Fineout, “DeSantis set to pick Florida’s new LG — and a possible 2026 governor candidate,” Politico, August 11, 2025.

² A.G. Gancarski, “Gov. DeSantis expected to pick Jay Collins as Lieutenant Governor,” Florida Politics, August 11, 2025.

³ Mike Jenkins, “Florida Gov. DeSantis To Tap Jay Collins As Lieutenant Governor, Sets Up Potential Primary Showdown,” The Floridian, August 11, 2025.

⁴ Ibid.