Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R ) appointed state Sen. Jay Collins (R ) as lieutenant governor on Tuesday, filling the position that had been vacant for six months. 

“He’s been a man of action. He has delivered conservative wins, and I think has been one of the most productive state senators in modern Florida history,” DeSantis said in a news conference, referring to the Tampa-area state senator. 

“On all of the issues, he not only was an ally of mine, he was standing up for you,” he continued.

The lieutenant governor’s post in the state had been vacant since February when former Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nunez (R ) left the position to become the president of Florida International University. 

Collins, who is a former Green Beret, is a DeSantis loyalist. The appointment could set Collins up for a potential 2026 gubernatorial run. A Collins gubernatorial bid would set him up as a challenger against Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who announced his candidacy with President Trump’s endorsement earlier this year. 

Donalds congratulated Collins in a post on X on Tuesday, saying he looked forward to working with him. 

DeSantis has given no indication that he will back Donalds as his successor.

Earlier this year the governor and his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, did not rule out the possibility of her running. However, the first lady has not announced any plans to run ahead of next year’s August primary.