When Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Blaise Ingoglia to be Florida's Chief Financial Officer earlier this year, Democrats said it was just another political favor.
They claimed firefighters and first responders would see right through it.
But Florida's professional firefighters just made one endorsement that sent a clear message to Kevin Steele.
Florida's largest firefighter union chooses sides in Republican primary fight
The Florida Professional Firefighters dropped a bombshell endorsement Wednesday that should have Republican Representative Kevin Steele rethinking his primary challenge against Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
The union represents 30,000 firefighters and emergency medical personnel across 200 departments statewide.
And they didn't hold back in their support for Ingoglia.
"Florida's firefighters have found a remarkable advocate in the CFO's office," FPF President Wayne "Bernie" Bernoska stated.¹ "Blaise Ingoglia has demonstrated time and again his commitment to the issues that matter most to the men and women serving our communities."
https://twitter.com/GovGoneWild/status/1991188085745332671?s=20
The endorsement specifically praised Ingoglia's work on training, equipment, safety protocols, and protecting firefighter retirement and cancer benefits.
Steele announced his primary challenge just days ago, promising to "run our state like a winning business — smart, tough, and with zero tolerance for waste and corruption."²
But the FPF's swift backing of Ingoglia suggests the incumbent already locked down crucial support from Florida's first responders before Steele could even make his pitch.
The Dade City Republican is worth $156.7 million according to his financial disclosure.²
That massive war chest could make this race expensive.
But all the money in the world won't buy the trust Ingoglia earned from Florida's firefighters over years of fighting for them in the legislature.
Ingoglia built relationships with firefighters during decades in the legislature
Ingoglia didn't just wake up as CFO and decide to care about firefighter issues.
The Spring Hill Republican spent years in the trenches fighting for first responders as a state legislator.
While serving in the Florida House and Senate, Ingoglia sponsored the Firefighter Cancer Bill that expanded treatment coverage, disability benefits, and death benefits for firefighters diagnosed with job-related cancers.¹
He also championed the Florida Firefighter Occupational Safety and Health Act.
That legislation created statewide standards designed to reduce accidents, occupational illnesses, and line-of-duty deaths.
Those aren't just talking points on a campaign website.
They're actual laws that protect the men and women who run into burning buildings while everyone else runs out.
"I am grateful for the unwavering dedication of these men and women to their profession, and as their Chief Fire Marshal, I will always ensure they have the resources, protections, and support they deserve," Ingoglia said after receiving the endorsement.³
https://twitter.com/GovGoneWild/status/1988734501862695302?s=20
Rick Scott's backing won't overcome Ingoglia's record with first responders
Steele rolled out an endorsement from U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who praised the challenger as "a proven leader and a true conservative who knows how to get results."²
That's a significant endorsement given Scott's stature in Florida Republican politics.
But Scott has history with Ingoglia that makes the endorsement less surprising.
When Ingoglia ran for chair of the Republican Party of Florida, he defeated Scott's preferred candidate for the job.²
Scott apparently hasn't forgotten that loss.
The senator called Steele "a business owner" who "created jobs, cut waste, and made organizations more efficient."²
Steele founded Datalink Software, a health care technology company, and graduated from the University of South Florida with a business degree.²
Those are fine credentials.
But firefighters don't care about your business resume when their lives are on the line.
They care about who fights for their cancer benefits, their safety equipment, and their retirement security.
https://twitter.com/GovGoneWild/status/1988669173669716259?s=20
And on those issues, Ingoglia has the receipts.
Governor DeSantis appointed Ingoglia to the CFO post in July after Jimmy Patronis won election to Congress.
Ingoglia holds a significant fundraising advantage with $4.63 million across two political committees and his campaign account, compared to Steele's $145,000.²
The timing of this endorsement — coming so quickly after Steele's challenge announcement — shows the firefighters already know who has their back.
Ingoglia's political director John Wallace didn't mince words about the race.
"The choice for CFO is clear – Floridians will never support someone who thinks they can buy a seat on Florida's Cabinet," Wallace stated.²
And it's not the guy trying to knock off the incumbent who actually delivered results for them.
¹ Anita Padilla, "Florida Professional Firefighters endorse Blaise Ingoglia for state CFO," Florida News, November 19, 2025.
² Gray Rohrer, "GOP lawmaker gets in CFO race against incumbent Ingoglia," USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida, November 18, 2025.
³ A.G. Gancarski, "Firefighters fall in behind 'remarkable advocate' Blaise Ingoglia in CFO race," FloridaPolitics.com, November 19, 2025.
