John D. Smith, who appeared on the popular business reality show Shark Tank, is gearing up for another challenge, and it's not facing off against Mark Cuban or Kevin O'Leary. The Orlando native announced he's running for Florida's chief financial officer position against Blaise Ingoglia in a recent campaign video posted on social media.
“My 100,000 pennies are competing with an opponent that has raised $4.6 million in just 2 months," Smith stated in a release. "Who needs all that money to run for a job paying $150K a year?”
Smith, who is the owner and inventor of Storm Stoppers Hurricane Window Protection out of Winter Park, indicated he was "inspired" to run against Ingoglia by his response to Smith's June lawsuit against the My Safe Florida Home grant program, which the CFO runs.
In his video announcement, Smith demonstrated that his hurricane protection windows, which previously appeared on Shark Tank’s special 100th Episode, were much more reliable and safe than the approved shutters in the My Safe Florida program. Smith did not get an offer from the "Sharks," but he has since turned his business into a successful operation in a state well-known for dangerous hurricanes.
He also claimed that eighteen adults have died over the last twenty years from fires as a result of the less-than-reliable windows under the state's guidance.
Through his June lawsuit, Smith is accusing Ingoglia, Florida's Fire Marshal, of keeping his product from the state's grant program under its fire prevention code. Smith says the state responded that the policy does not apply to single-family homes.
“There are millions of Florida Homeowners at risk because my opponent incorrectly stated the Florida Fire Prevention Code doesn’t apply to single-family homes," Smith said.
Emphasizing the importance of homeowner safety to voters, Smith argued Florida needed an "experienced" Fire Marshal and CPA [Certified Public Accountant] to review the state's budget and revenue numbers.
He also vowed not to take a salary if elected to the position, while offering a nuance, "every day is casual Friday" policy to save money for state, county, and city employees.
"A big cost every year for workers are the professional clothes they are forced to wear that the public doesn’t see," Smith said.
Ingoglia has been Florida's CFO since being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the position in July. He announced his candidacy for a full term for the job in September.
The CFO election is set for Nov. 3, 2026.
