Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accepted the resignation of Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), on Tuesday. Guthrie had joined Lt. Gov. Jay Collins’ ticket as a running mate just hours before the Republican gubernatorial primary opened.
Surprise candidacy and immediate fallout
According to reports, Guthrie did not inform Governor DeSantis of his decision before the filing deadline. Collins, who was appointed lieutenant governor in August 2025 after former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez left to lead Florida International University, announced the partnership on social media just before polls opened.
Collins lost the primary to U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who carried the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Following the primary, Guthrie announced his departure from FDEM, saying he was surprised by the reaction of colleagues.
Governor’s response and new leadership
Speaking at an event in Sarasota, DeSantis emphasized the need to keep the state’s disaster‑response agency separate from political campaigns. “If people want to choose politics, more power to them,” he 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, confirming that Perdue will serve concurrently in both roles. A governor’s office spokeswoman said the transition would not affect ongoing operations, noting that the agency is a “well‑oiled machine” ready to handle the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.
Guthrie’s tenure and accomplishments
Appointed in 2021 with an annual salary of $200,850, Guthrie oversaw responses to more than 20 disaster declarations, including six major hurricane landfalls. His office 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 such as the Deportation Depot and the recently closed Alligator Alcatraz.
While Florida has not experienced a hurricane landfall since 2024, officials said the leadership change would not disrupt preparedness or response efforts.
Political context
The episode underscores the tension between public service roles and partisan campaigning. DeSantis reiterated that emergency management must remain apolitical, a stance echoed by many state officials who argue that disaster response should be insulated from electoral politics.
Collins praised Guthrie’s law‑enforcement background and disaster‑management experience, describing their partnership as a mission‑driven effort to protect Florida’s infrastructure and people. “This office will not be ceremonial,” Collins wrote on social media. “Together, we will protect our infrastructure, protect our people, and make sure Florida is ready for whatever comes next.”
Looking ahead
With the hurricane season underway and the next election cycle approaching, Florida’s emergency‑management leadership will be closely watched. Governor DeSantis assured residents that the agency will continue its work without interruption, emphasizing the state’s commitment to swift, non‑partisan disaster response.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
