TALLAHASSEE—Days after Blaise Ingoglia was sworn in as Florida's chief financial officer, conservative advocacy groups and law enforcement unions applauded his appointment ahead of what's expected to be a vicious Republican primary.
Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican, received sweeping praise from various firefighter organizations Wednesday, two days after being inaugurated as Florida's chief fire marshal.
The groups, including Florida Professional Firefighters, Metro-Dade Firefighters, and Pasco County Firefighters—one of the counties Ingoglia represented as a state Senator—joined organizations like the National Rifle Association in voicing their support.
"The Florida Professional Firefighters congratulate CFO and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia on his appointment," President Wayne Bernoska said in a Wednesday morning press release. "He has shown time and again that Florida’s firefighters will continue to have a true advocate in the CFO’s office."
The Fraternal Order of Police, which represents more than 24,000 officers, also issued a statement thanking Gov. Ron DeSantis for "appointing a leader of such caliber."
Similar acknowledgements were handed down earlier this week by Americans for Prosperity and the National Federation of Independent Business.Â
Of note, the grassroots and public sector organizations' support is not the same as an endorsement, because Ingoglia hasn't mounted a campaign for the 2026 CFO race—yet. For now, he's the newly-appointed incumbent backed by DeSantis and various grassroots groups.
"The decision has not been made yet, but I do know this…I’m not going to file immediately. I’m a big believer in proving to voters that you are going to work hard and get the job done," Ingoglia told The Floridian.
If—and when—Ingoglia enters the race, his fiercest competitor will be state Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump and already working with Trump advisers ahead of the campaign cycle.
Gruters was named chair of the Senate's banking and insurance committee just hours after Ingoglia was sworn in on Monday, signaling internal support by some legislative leaders. Ingoglia had been the chair previously.
The face-off between the conservative powerhouses, both of whom used to chair the Florida GOP and served together in the Legislature until Ingoglia resigned last week, is expected to shape up as a proxy war between DeSantis and Trump through their endorsed CFO candidates.
Ingoglia, independently wealthy, reported a net worth of over $28 million in December 2024—the latest filing available. Gruters reported a net worth of $2.5 million as of March 2025.
The chief financial officer is in charge of writing Florida's checks, overseeing the state's insurance agency, and serving as the chief fire marshal.
