A majority of the candidates for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer have qualified to appear on the ballot.
Republican incumbent CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Republican challenger Frank William Collige have qualified. Democrat Earle Ford has also qualified, though Annette Taddeo, also a Democrat, had not yet qualified, as of Wednesday. But she’s expected to do so before the Friday qualifying deadline.
No Party Affiliation candidate John Daniel Smith filed for candidacy but has not yet qualified.
As an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, this will be Ingoglia’s first election for CFO. DeSantis appointed him to the post after former CFO Jimmy Patronis won a Special Election last year for Florida’s 1st Congressional District representing the Panhandle.
Ingoglia previously served in the Florida Senate and House serving mostly the Gulf coast area north of Tampa. He also was the Chair of the Florida Republican Party. Ingoglia has already raised about $1.15 million and spent more than $190,000, according to Division of Elections records.
Collige lives in Jacksonville and is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He owns Property Pros Consulting, an insurance claims company. The Republican has raised $15,395 and spent $4,672 as of the most recent report filings.
Ford is a late entry into the CFO race. He dropped out of the race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District in Pinellas County in May to run for CFO.
Taddeo is a former state Senator and only announced her candidacy Monday. She held the SD 40 seat in Southeast Florida. She’s also the former Chair of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party.
Smith is an entrepreneur from Winter Park and founded Storm Stoppers Hurricane Window Protection.
