Former CFOs back ‘proven conservative fighter’ Blaise Ingoglia for full term

Three previous Chief Financial Officers are throwing their support behind current CFO Blaise Ingoglia, who is seeking his first election to the post.

Former CFOs Jeff Atwater, Tom Gallagher and Jimmy Patronis, all Republicans, are endorsing Ingoglia. The three tipped their caps to Ingoglia’s management style since he was appointed as CFO in early 2025.

Gallagher held the CFO job from 2003 to 2007 and credited Ingoglia’s crusade on overspending among more than a dozen local municipalities in the past year.

“Blaise Ingoglia is a proven conservative fighter who understands that Floridians spend their money better than the government ever will. He’s done a phenomenal job exposing excessive and wasteful spending, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership Florida needs in a Chief Financial Officer,” Gallagher said.

Atwater served as CFO from 2011 to 2017.

“We have seen firsthand just how important this role is when it comes to protecting our state’s financial future. Blaise has the backbone to make tough decisions, and the experience to get it right,” Atwater said.

Patronis was first elected as CFO in 2017 and held the job until winning a 2025 Special Election for Congress in Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the Panhandle. Patronis said he’s relieved that Ingoglia filled his shoes.

“We are proud to endorse Blaise Ingoglia for Chief Financial Officer because we know he’ll fight every day to keep Florida fiscally strong, stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement and first responders, prioritize fire safety and prevention through the state Fire Marshal’s office, and always put Floridians first,” Patronis said.

The Patronis support is the latest in a string of congressional endorsements for Ingoglia. Three other Republicans have backed his campaign this month, including U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach, Kat Cammack of Gainesville and Brian Mast of Stuart.

Ingoglia is competing against Frank Collige in the Aug. 18 Republican Primary. No-party candidate John Smith is also running. No Democrat has filed.