TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed State Sen. Jay Collins as the state’s lieutenant governor. The governor's announcement and Collins' swearing-in ceremony took place at a news conference in Tampa on Tuesday morning.

The state Republican Party disclosed the appointment of the Florida senator early Tuesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis made it official later in the day.

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