Governor Ron DeSantis is appointing his second-in-command tomorrow, and potential successor for when he’s term-limited in 2027. DeSantis is said to be appointing Jay Collins to the role of lieutenant governor.

This may spell out a big primary fight in the state between Collins and the Trump-backed candidate, Byron Donalds. This is all assuming that Collins wants the gig.

Here’s more from government-funded Politico:

Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to tap former Green Beret and decorated military veteran Jay Collins as Florida’s lieutenant governor, filling the job with a close ally who could mount a gubernatorial primary challenge to President Donald Trump’s pick, Rep. Byron Donalds.

DeSantis has been without a second in command since February, after appointing former Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nuñez as president of Florida International University in Miami. The decision to appoint the Republican state senator provides the sharpest signs yet into DeSantis’ thinking on who should succeed him in next year’s election.

First lady Casey DeSantis had been seen as a potential successor for governor, at one point doing little to tamp down speculation. But as the months have stretched on, she has not made any firm moves toward a candidacy. Gov. DeSantis has declined to endorse Donalds, leaving the door open for someone else to run for the office with the governor’s support.

Gov. DeSantis plans to make his announcement Tuesday, according to four people familiar with the planning, granted anonymity to relay private conversations.

Two of the people confirmed the press conference is scheduled to occur at the Tampa Green Beret Association.

The location is symbolic given Collins’ military service; he served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his 23 years in the military, and he had part of his leg amputated during his military service. Collins then requalified and spent five additional years with the Green Berets.

If you want to learn more about Collins’ background, here’s a video from the Gary Sinese Foundation about him:

As you all know, I’m not really a big fan of Byron Donalds after that crap he pulled in 2023 about Florida’s curriculum. I’m ready for a solid candidate to get behind and if it’s Jay Collins, I look forward to learning more about him.