Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie stepped down Tuesday after launching a surprise bid for lieutenant governor alongside Lt. Gov. Jay Collins on the eve of the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
Guthrie joined Collins’ ticket Monday evening, reportedly without informing Gov. Ron DeSantis beforehand. On Tuesday, Collins lost the primary contest to U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who carried the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Following the primary, Guthrie surrendered his position at the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), reportedly expressing surprise to colleagues over the departure.
Speaking at an event in Sarasota, Gov. DeSantis confirmed he accepted Guthrie’s resignation, emphasizing that the state’s disaster response agency must remain separate from political campaigns.
“If people want to choose politics, more power to them,” DeSantis said. “I didn’t necessarily think that was something that Kevin aspired to, but given that he’s doing that, I think it’s important that we have emergency management just focused on emergency management.”
DeSantis named Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue to lead FDEM. A spokeswoman for the governor’s office confirmed Perdue will serve concurrently in both roles.
Although Florida has not seen a hurricane make landfall since 2024, the Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. DeSantis stated the sudden change in agency leadership would not disrupt ongoing operations.
“It’s a well-oiled machine,” DeSantis said. “We’ve got a lot of great people over there. We’re not going to miss a beat. But I don’t want to be in a situation where there’s politics and emergency management. I think you got to choose one or the other.”
Collins, who was appointed lieutenant governor by DeSantis in August 2025 following Jeanette Nuñez’s departure to lead Florida International University, announced Guthrie as his running mate on social media hours before polls opened.
“Kevin and I didn’t meet at a fundraiser. We met on a mission. He’s spent his career running toward the problem, from 23 years in law enforcement to leading Florida through hurricanes, disasters, and some of our toughest moments,” Collins wrote. “This office will not be ceremonial. Together, we will protect our infrastructure, protect our people, and make sure Florida is ready for whatever comes next.”
Guthrie was appointed FDEM director in 2021 with an annual state salary of $200,850. During his tenure, he directed responses to more than 20 disaster declarations, including six major hurricane landfalls. His office also coordinated international evacuation flights for Floridians from Israel in 2023 and Haiti in 2024, managed transport flights of migrants to Democratic-led states in 2022, and operated state immigration facilities including Deportation Depot and the recently closed Alligator Alcatraz.
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