DeSantis Appoints Senator Ingoglia Florida CFO Over Trump Favorite

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed State Senator Blaise Ingoglia as the state's Chief Financial Officer, filling the vacancy left by Jimmy Patronis who ran for Congress. DeSantis praised Ingoglia as the most conservative senator in Florida and emphasized their shared goal of eliminating property taxes on homestead exemptions and cutting government spending. Ingoglia vowed to act as a fiscal watchdog, calling out wasteful spending, insurance companies not meeting obligations, and ensuring accountability, while focusing on housing affordability and insurance issues. The appointment has ignited friction between DeSantis and President Donald Trump, as Ingoglia was chosen over Trump-backed State Senator Joe Gruters, setting the stage for a potentially contentious Republican primary in 2026. DeSantis defended his choice by criticizing Gruters’s legislative record as misaligned with voter interests, while Gruters’s campaign has rallied prominent Trump allies in response. Ingoglia’s appointment is seen as a continuation of DeSantis’s conservative agenda and a significant political move within Florida’s Republican landscape.