Florida’s 2025 legislative session ended late Monday evening as lawmakers passed the state’s 2025–2026 budget. The session was marked by notable disagreements between the House and Senate and a growing divide between Governor Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Danny Perez. With the session ending, attention now turns to a series of anticipated appointments by the Governor to fill several key vacancies in state government.

Among the most prominent positions awaiting an appointee are Lieutenant Governor and Chief Financial Officer. Jeanette Nuñez, who previously held the role of Lieutenant Governor, left the post earlier this year to become President of Florida International University and Jimmy Patronis, the state’s former CFO, was elected in April to represent Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Senator Blaise Ingoglia, Senator Jay Collins, and Representative Mike Caruso are considered strong contenders for appointments, having proved their loyalty to DeSantis throughout the session.

Ingoglia is widely regarded as a leading candidate for the CFO appointment. He is a licensed homebuilder, tournament poker player, former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, and has been a consistent supporter of the Governor’s legislative priorities. Ingoglia was quoted by POLITICO earlier this year suggesting that he was prepared to engage in “months and months of butt kissing to Gov. DeSantis” in pursuit of the appointment.

Senator Jay Collins is being discussed as a potential pick for Lieutenant Governor. A former U.S. Army Green Beret, Collins has worked to increase his visibility since his first election in 2022 and is viewed by some observers as a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2026. In a recent appearance on The Dana Show with Dana Loesch, Collins did not dismiss the possibility of a statewide run.

Representative Mike Caruso of Palm Beach County is another legislative ally expected to earn a coveted DeSantis appointment.  Caruso, a Certified Public Accountant, was floated as a possible CFO candidate and a potential Lieutenant Governor.

The Capitolist is hearing that a local appointment seems more likely, though the path is less direct.  Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Joe Abruzzo is expected to become the new County Administrator of Florida’s fourth most populous county, vacating his current office.  The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court is charged with appointing an interim Clerk.  Once the Chief Judge taps an interim Clerk, then the Governor will appoint a permanent replacement.  Many suspect that Caruso is a frontrunner for that appointment.

DeSantis suggested over a month ago that he would make CFO and Lieutenant Governor appointments “relatively soon,” but was waiting for dust to settle in the legislative budget process.  Now that session is over, Gov. DeSantis is on the clock for filling these important vacancies.