By The News Service of Florida
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia pulled in more than $1.2 million in the first quarter as he seeks a full term in the Cabinet office to which he was appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Ingoglia raised $271,063 through his personal campaign account and the political committee Friends of Blaise Ingoglia picked up $954,181, according to first-quarter numbers posted on the Division of Elections website.
As of March 31, Ingoglia had just over $5.1 million on hand as the contest awaits the formal qualifying period from noon, June 8 to noon, June 12.
Ingoglia, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, is one of four Republicans with active campaign accounts for the statewide office, although two — Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota — aren’t considered to be running.
In February, Steele announced he would drop his CFO campaign and seek re-election to his Pasco County House district. He has yet to open the House District 55 account, which has attracted two Republican candidates.
Gruters became chairman of the Republican National Committee last August and is no longer actively campaigning for the CFO post. The quarterly report he filed listed no contributions and $48,500 in spending, including $10,000 on advertising and $20,000 for consulting.
The fourth Republican, Frank Collige, the owner of Property Pros Consulting from Glen St. Mary, reported raising $350 during the quarter. He has now raised $14,035.
John Daniel Smith of Winter Park, running without a party affiliation, hasn’t submitted a finance report since opening a campaign account on Oct. 15.
No Democrat has filed for the office that opened last spring when former CFO Jimmy Patronis successfully ran for a congressional seat.
DeSantis appointed Ingoglia, a former legislator, to the Cabinet office in July, where he has helped lead DeSantis’ push to lower property taxes by highlighting local government spending.
For the quarter, Ingoglia’s personal account included $67,637 from real estate, construction and development interests, $17,500 from the insurance field and $31,000 from political committees. The Republican Party of Florida also provided $166,455 through in-kind assistance for staffing and consulting.\
The Friends of Blaise Ingoglia political committee drew in $313,000 from various political organizations, $145,910 from construction and real estate interests, and $72,000 from the insurance field.
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