When law enforcement speaks, politicians listen.
And Florida's sheriffs just sent the CFO race a message nobody can ignore.
Blaise Ingoglia's law enforcement backing sends one powerful message about Florida's 2026 CFO race.
Sheriffs overwhelm opponents with unprecedented show of support
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia picked up endorsements from 60 of Florida's 67 sheriffs this week.¹
That's nearly 90% of the state's top law enforcement officials backing one candidate.
The endorsements represent the largest law enforcement coalition for a statewide Florida race this election cycle.¹
Among the backing came from some of the most recognizable names in Florida law enforcement.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called Ingoglia a "passionate professional leader who loves the people of Florida and he is tough as nails on crime."²
"While other states cave to soft-on-crime laws, Blaise ensures that doesn't happen here," Judd added. "Voting for Blaise Ingoglia is the smart and safe choice for the future of Florida."²
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri praised Ingoglia's legislative record on public safety.
"In the Florida Senate, Blaise Ingoglia proved himself an unshakable leader by putting the safety of Floridians first," Gualtieri stated. "Blaise not only worked to keep our schools safe, he protected our communities from criminal illegal aliens and provided critical support to law enforcement officers across the state."³
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz emphasized Ingoglia's consistent support for those who wear the badge.
"Blaise Ingoglia consistently stands shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement," Cordero-Stutz explained. "His record shows a clear dedication to protecting our communities, supporting those who wear the badge, and ensuring that our legal system works fairly and firmly."⁴
The sheriffs' endorsement follows the Florida Fraternal Order of Police throwing its weight behind Ingoglia earlier this month.
That organization represents more than 24,000 law enforcement officers statewide.⁵
Follow the money
Ingoglia's campaign isn't just winning endorsements.
The CFO raised $1.8 million in the first quarter of his campaign for a full term.⁶
His total war chest stands at $4.6 million when combining his official campaign account with the Friends of Blaise Ingoglia and Government Gone Wild political committees.⁷
Those numbers matter because Ingoglia faces potential competition in the Republican primary.
President Donald Trump previously endorsed State Senator Joe Gruters for the CFO position before Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Ingoglia to fill the vacancy left when Jimmy Patronis resigned to run for Congress.⁸
DeSantis passed over Gruters in July when he tapped Ingoglia for the appointment.
"Blaise has done what the voters who've elected us expect," DeSantis said at the time. "Joe Gruters has taken major positions that are totally contrary from what our voter base wants to do."⁹
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1924969760233500997
That appointment set up what could be an explosive primary battle between the DeSantis-backed incumbent and Trump's preferred candidate.
But the massive law enforcement backing Ingoglia secured suggests sheriffs aren't waiting to see how that political fight shakes out.
Legislative track record drives support
Ingoglia's relationships with Florida law enforcement weren't built overnight.
Ingoglia championed bills supporting law enforcement during his time in the State Senate, such as legislation to abolish police review boards that second-guessed officer decisions.¹⁰
Before his Senate service, Ingoglia spent eight years in the Florida House from 2014 to 2022.
He served as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida from 2015 to 2019.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey credited Florida's law-and-order approach to leaders like Ingoglia.
"Florida is the law and order state, with a zero tolerance for crime, in large part that is thanks to leaders like Blaise Ingoglia," Ivey said. "Like me, Ingoglia understands that as public servants our responsibility is to serve and protect our citizens, and I have no doubt he will continue working to safeguard the rule of law and make sure our law enforcement officers have every resource they need."¹¹
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods emphasized the trust Ingoglia earned from the law enforcement community.
"CFO Blaise Ingoglia has earned the trust and respect of the law enforcement community through legislative action and direct support to local policing efforts," Woods stated. "He has and always will have our backs, and I look forward to working alongside him to continue upholding integrity, respect and the highest standards of protection for all residents."¹²
The stakes of the 2026 race
The CFO election takes place November 3, 2026.¹³
The position oversees billions in state finances, regulates the insurance industry, and serves as State Fire Marshal.
Ingoglia made waves after taking office by uncovering $1 billion in wasteful spending by counties and cities across Florida through his Department of Government Efficiency-style tour.¹⁴
That commitment to rooting out government waste combined with his law enforcement backing makes him the candidate to beat.
Democrats haven't fielded a major candidate yet.
But with 60 sheriffs, the state's largest police union, and a massive fundraising advantage, Ingoglia enters 2026 with serious momentum.
The message from Florida's law enforcement community couldn't be clearer: they're backing the candidate who backs them.
¹ Frank Kopylov, "60 Florida sheriffs endorse Blaise Ingoglia for Chief Financial Officer," Florida News, October 27, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ A.G. Gancarski, "Sheriffs overwhelmingly back Blaise Ingoglia for CFO," Florida Politics, October 27, 2025.
⁵ Michael Costeines, "Florida's Largest Police Union Endorses Blaise Ingoglia for CFO," The Floridian, October 15, 2025.
⁶ Michael Costeines, "Blaise Ingoglia Raises $1.8 Million in 1Q, Has $4.6M for CFO Bid," The Floridian, October 8, 2025.
⁷ Ibid.
⁸ Peter Schorsch, "Gov. DeSantis to appoint Blaise Ingoglia as Florida CFO, setting up more potential turmoil with Donald Trump," Florida Politics, July 16, 2025.
⁹ Romy Ellenbogen and Bea Anhuci, "DeSantis picks Blaise Ingoglia for CFO over Trump candidate," Tampa Bay Times, July 17, 2025.
¹⁰ "Blaise Ingoglia," Wikipedia, accessed October 28, 2025.
¹¹ Michael Costeines, "Blaise Ingoglia Endorsed by 60 Florida Sheriffs in CFO Bid," The Floridian, October 27, 2025.
¹² Gancarski, "Sheriffs overwhelmingly back Blaise Ingoglia for CFO."
¹³ Costeines, "Blaise Ingoglia Endorsed by 60 Florida Sheriffs in CFO Bid."
¹⁴ Michael Costeines, "Ingoglia Details $1 Billion in Wasteful City, County Spending," The Floridian, October 13, 2025.
