2026 Florida Chief Financial Officer election
November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Florida |
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| Government |
The 2026 Florida Chief Financial Officer election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect the Chief Financial Officer of Florida. Incumbent CFO Jimmy Patronis resigned on March 31, 2025, to run for Congress in a special election for Florida's 1st congressional district.[1]
Background
Incumbent Republican CFO Jimmy Patronis won re-election to a second term with 59.48% of the vote in 2022. On November 13, 2024, Matt Gaetz, U.S. Representative for Florida's 1st congressional district, resigned after president-elect Donald Trump nominated him to be Attorney General of the United States.[2] On November 25, 2024, Patronis announced that he would run in the special election for the seat.[3] That same day, he submitted his resignation, effective March 31, 2025.[4] On July 16, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed state senator Blaise Ingoglia to the position.[5]
Interim appointment
Appointee
- Blaise Ingoglia, state senator from the 11th district (2022–2025)[5]
Considered but not appointed
- Mike Caruso, state representative (2018–present)[6]
- Joe Gruters, state senator from the 22nd district (2018–present) and treasurer of the Republican National Committee (2025–present)[6]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Frank Collige, businessman and Air Force veteran[7]
- Benjamin Horbowy, candidate for Florida's 3rd Senate district in 2020[8]
- Blaise Ingoglia, incumbent chief financial officer of Florida (2025–present)[9]
Withdrawn
- Joe Gruters, state senator from the 22nd district (2018–present) and chair of the Republican National Committee (2025–present)[10]
- Kevin Steele, state representative from the 55th district (2022–present) (running for re-election)[11]
Declined
- Jimmy Patronis, U.S. representative from Florida's 1st congressional district (2025–present) and former Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2017–2025)[12]
Endorsements
Blaise Ingoglia
- U.S. representatives
- Gus Bilirakis, FL-12 (2007–present)[13]
- State legislators
- Local officials
- 60 sheriffs[15]
- Individuals
- John Temple, president-designate of Lake–Sumter State College[13]
Kevin Steele (withdrawn)
- U.S. senators
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present) (previously endorsed Gruters)[16]
Joe Gruters (withdrawn)
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[1]
- U.S. senators
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)[17] (switched endorsement to Steele after Gruters withdrew)
- U.S. representatives
- Randy Fine, FL-06 (2025–present)[17]
- Jimmy Patronis, FL-01 (2025–present)[18][19]
- Statewide officials
- Tom Gallagher, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2003–2007)[17]
- Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture (2023–present)[17]
- State legislators
- Ben Albritton, President of the Florida Senate (2024–present) from the 27th district (2022–present)[17]
- Jim Boyd, Majority Leader of the Florida Senate (2024–present) from the 20th district (2020–present)[17]
- Jason Brodeur, President pro tempore of the Florida Senate (2024–present) from the 10th district (2020–present)[17]
- Daniel Perez, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (2024–present) from the 116th district (2018–present)[7]
- 17 other state senators[b]
Notes
- ^
including:
- Danny Alvarez, state representative from the 69th district (2022–present)[13]
- Adam Anderson, state representative from the 57th district (2022–present)[13]
- James Buchanan, state representative from the 74th district (2018–present)[13]
- Bill Conerly, state representative from the 72nd district (2024–present)[13]
- J. J. Grow, state representative from the 23rd district (2024–present)[13]
- Jeff Holcomb, state representative from the 53rd district (2022–present)[13]
- Berny Jacques, state representative from the 59th district (2022–present)[13]
- Fiona McFarland, state representative from the 73rd district (2020–present)[13]
- Danny Nix, state representative from the 75th district (2024–present)[13]
- Michael Owen, state representative from the 70th district (2024–present)[13]
- Will Robinson, state representative from the 71st district (2018–present)[13]
- Brad Yeager, state representative from the 56th district (2022–present)[13]
- ^
- Jennifer Bradley, state senator from the 6th district (2022–present)[17]
- Danny Burgess, state senator from the 23rd district (2020–present)[17]
- Colleen Burton, state senator from the 12th district (2022–present)[17]
- Alexis Calatayud, state senator from the 38th district (2022–present)[17]
- Don Gaetz, state senator from the 1st district (2006–2016, 2024–present)[17]
- Ileana Garcia, state senator from the 36th district (2020–present)[17]
- Erin Grall, state senator from the 29th district (2022–present)[17]
- Ed Hooper, state senator from the 21st district (2018–present)[17]
- Tom Leek, state senator from the 7th district (2024–present)[17]
- Stan McClain, state senator from the 9th district (2024–present)[17]
- Kathleen Passidomo, state senator from the 28th district (2016–present)[17]
- Ana Maria Rodriguez, state senator from the 40th district (2020–present)[17]
- Keith Truenow, state senator from the 13th district (2024–present)[17]
- Tom Wright, state senator from the 8th district (2018–present)[17]
- Clay Yarborough, state senator from the 4th district (2022–present)[17]
References
- ^ a b Rohrer, Gray (April 1, 2025). "Who will be Florida's next CFO? DeSantis faces key decision". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Beavers, Olivia; Carney, Jordain (November 13, 2024). "Gaetz resigns from Congress". Politico. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jimmy Patronis resigns Cabinet seat, mounts run to succeed Matt Gaetz in Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 25, 2024). "Jimmy Patronis officially resigns as Chief Financial Officer". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Russon, Gabrielle (July 16, 2025). "Ignoring Donald Trump, Gov. DeSantis taps Blaise Ingoglia as CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Sczesny, Matt (November 26, 2024). "Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis running for Congress. Who will take over his job?". WPTV. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Ogles, Jacob (January 14, 2025). "'Joe knows what it takes to get the job done': Daniel Perez backs Joe Gruters for CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (June 4, 2024). "Joe Gruters quietly files for Chief Financial Officer in 2026". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (September 2, 2025). "Blaise Ingoglia launches campaign for a full term as CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Russell, Ty (August 28, 2025). "RNC Chair Gruters to remain in Florida senate but bow out of CFO race". WFLA-TV. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 19, 2026). "Kevin Steele cashes out of CFO race, will seek re-election to HD 55". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Leonard, Kimberly (June 14, 2024). "Patronis stirs up 2026". POLITICO. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Taylor, Janelle Irwin (September 4, 2025). "Mass of Tampa Bay area leaders pledge support for Blaise Ingoglia for CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ogles, Jacob (January 8, 2026). "Another 58 lawmakers endorse Blaise Ingoglia in campaign for full term as CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ Gancarski, A.G. (October 27, 2025). "Sheriffs overwhelmingly back Blaise Ingoglia for CFO". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Perry, Mitch (November 18, 2025). "Pasco Republican Kevin Steele to take on Blaise Ingoglia in GOP race for CFO". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Ogles, Jacob (February 23, 2025). "Senate GOP colleagues endorse Joe Gruters' 2026 CFO bid, hosting fundraiser March 3". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Rohrer, Gray (December 19, 2024). "Trump ally Gruters seeks Florida CFO job. Will DeSantis make it easy". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Perry, Mitch (December 4, 2024). "Patronis wants Joe Gruters to succeed him as Florida's chief financial officer". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites