The Lakeland Professional Firefighters Association is backing Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia as he seeks to maintain the office.
The firefighters group noted Ingoglia’s support of first responders in a statement announcing the endorsement.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect the people of Lakeland,” said Shannon Turbeville, President of the Lakeland Professional Firefighters Association. “CFO Blaise Ingoglia has demonstrated a strong commitment to fiscal accountability while ensuring that first responders have the resources necessary to serve our communities effectively.”
Ingoglia has held several high-profile events in the past year dedicated to promoting first responders. In November, Ingoglia appeared in Lakeland to distribute some $200,000 in state grants to three Fire Departments to help prevent and treat cancer for first responders who go into dangerous situations and are exposed to carcinogens.
This is Ingoglia’s first official campaign for CFO. He was appointed as CFO in July by Gov. Ron DeSantis after former CFO Jimmy Patronis vacated the post and won a Special Election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
Ingoglia is being challenged by two Republicans in the Primary: Frank Collige and Benjamin Horbowy. But neither have raised significant funds to challenge Ingoglia.
Ingoglia’s biggest potential Republican opponent, Rep. Kevin Steele, recently withdrew from the race to instead seek re-election to the House. Steele also endorsed Ingoglia.
Also running is no-party candidate John Smith. No Democrat has filed. But assuming Smith makes the ballot, non-GOP voters would be locked out of voting in the August Republican Primary.
