PALM BAY, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Lt. Gov. and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Collins announced Kevin Guthrie as his running mate Monday, just hours before Florida voters head to the polls.

Collins made the announcement in Palm Harbor, naming Guthrie, the executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, as his running mate for governor.

“When you’re talking about emergencies, you’re talking about making things work, you’re talking about Kevin Guthrie,” Collins said.

Collins pointed to Guthrie’s experience in emergency management and his federal role.

“President Trump put him on the FEMA Review Council alongside his own cabinet secretaries and sitting governors because he is the best at what he does,” Collins said. “The president’s team wanted him. The governor didn’t want to lose him, and tonight I get to announce that I’m going to run alongside him.”

See also: Palm Beach GOP chairman calls Baxter developments a ‘coordinated attack’ ahead of primary

Guthrie has led the Florida Division of Emergency Management since May 2021, when he was appointed executive director by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He has more than 30 years of experience in public safety and emergency management in Florida.

Before taking over the agency, Guthrie served as its chief of staff and deputy director. As deputy director and State Emergency Response Team chief, he helped coordinate disaster response efforts among state agencies, counties and municipalities.

Guthrie previously spent 23 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a police officer and emergency preparedness coordinator. He later served as Flagler County’s public safety and emergency management director before becoming assistant county administrator for public safety in Pasco County.

The official Republican primary ballot lists Collins alongside Byron Donalds, James Fishback, and other candidates.

Collins’ announcement now gives voters a clearer picture of the ticket he would run on in the general election if he wins the Republican nomination.

Guthrie holds a master’s degree in human services from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia College.