Gov. Ron DeSantis formally endorsed Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia for a full term in the race for Florida's CFO in 2026 this week, praising him for his commitment to fiscal responsibility, conservative leadership, and protecting state taxpayers in his support.
“I'm pleased to endorse Blaise Ingoglia for the Chief Financial Officer of Florida. We've never had anybody in state government who's been such a bulldog in favor of the taxpayers, who has held liberal mayors account for extravagant spending. He has earned your support with his performance,” DeSantis said.
“All these guys talk, very few of them deliver. Blaise has said what he's going to do. He's met those promises, and he's over-delivering," DeSantis continued. "Blaise Ingoglia, this is one of the easiest choices conservatives will ever have for Chief Financial Officer.”
Ingoglia has held the CFO position since the governor appointed him to the role in July. Since assuming the position, Ingoglia has uncovered $1 billion in wasteful and excessive spending by counties and cities across the state through his Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight (FAFO).
He thanked Gov. DeSantis for his endorsement in a statement.
“Governor DeSantis has transformed Florida into the nation’s leader for economic freedom, and I’m grateful for his trust and support," Inoglia said. "As CFO, I will keep Florida’s economy strong, stop wasteful spending in its tracks, hold insurance companies accountable, and defend every hard-earned taxpayer dollar. Florida’s future is worth fighting for."
Gov. DeSantis's endorsement is big for Ingoglia, who is competing against Rep. Kevin Steele (R-Dade City) and businessman John D. Smith for the Republican nomination. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) has endorsed Steele for the position.
Several Tampa-area elected officials have also endorsed Ingoglia, including Sens. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) and Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater), as well as Reps. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), James Buchanan (R-Osprey), Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota), JJ Grow (R-Inverness), and Michael Owen (R-Apollo Beach).
The CFO election is set for Nov. 3, 2026.
