BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia put aside his government official hat at the Bradford Republican Patriots Dinner on August 29. Instead, he reverted to his posture of leading Florida Republicans as their chair, a post he held from 2015 to 2019 before his appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the state’s CFO in July.
In 2023, the Spring Hill state senator tried to eliminate the Democratic Party by filing a bill that would have outlawed any party in Florida that previously supported slavery.
During the GOP Patriots Dinner, he advocated burying the opposition party through the ballot box rather than through legislation.
“Democrats have one foot in the grave here in the state of Florida,” he told the crowd at the Gov. Charley E. Johns Conference Center. “Our job is to put the final nail in the coffin of the party of pronouns, high taxes, porn in schools and boys playing in girls’ sports.”
“Leftist Democrats are freaking idiots,” he continued. “Now, the good news is that leftist ideology is built on a foundation of crap, and it is buckling under the weight of its own ridiculousness. The bad news is that we, as Republicans, need to do a better job of taking the fight to them and taking the fight to the liberal media.”
The New York native and homebuilder announced that he had just become a grandfather. He then offered rules for his party’s success in the upcoming election cycle.
Rules for success
—Never Be Number 2: Success requires relentless effort. “Second place is not good enough,” he said, urging activists to work tirelessly, knock on doors, and break down barriers to deliver the conservative message.
—Be True to Yourself: He criticized politicians who campaign conservatively but govern differently, succumbing to campaign donations. “Govern the way you campaign,” he insisted.
—Protect Florida’s Constitution: Ingoglia warned of Democratic attempts to “buy” the state constitution through voter fraud and vague ballot language, citing last year’s abortion amendment as a near-disaster that could have led to late-term abortion clinics.
—Be an Optimist: Focus on possibilities, not problems. He likened America’s opportunities to a “refillable glass,” encouraging Republicans to seize opportunities for growth and innovation.
—Don’t New York Our Florida: Ingoglia cautioned against importing liberal policies from high-tax, high-regulation states, urging voters to reject candidates who bring leftist ideologies to Florida.
—Never Apologize for Faith: He advocated for prayer in schools, support for Israel, and rejecting antisemitism, emphasizing America’s Christian roots and the need to reclaim them.
—Protect the Taxpayer: Stressing that government money belongs to citizens, he called for property tax relief in 2026 and urged leaders to trust their instincts over bureaucratic advice.
—Go Unapologetically on Offense: Ingoglia demanded Republicans aggressively challenge Democrats, whose policies he called ridiculous, to deliver the final nail in their political coffin.
—Be Real with People: He emphasized straightforward communication, avoiding political correctness to connect authentically with voters.
—Actively Engage: Ingoglia urged activists to move beyond social media and take action, as “the world is changed by your example, not your opinion.”
A Warning Against Complacency
Ingoglia cautioned that Republican success, epitomized by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ transformation of Florida into a red state, risks breeding complacency.
He highlighted the danger of Democrats switching parties to run as Republicans, hiding their true intentions.
“We don’t need Republicans who actually are Democrats,” he said. “Just because they have an R next to their name does not necessarily mean they believe what we believe. So be careful who you trust, because salt and sugar look the same.”
Ingoglia exhorted Bradford Republicans to hold the ground won by his political benefactor and keep Florida free, a reputation solidified by DeSantis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“Average is the enemy,” he declared. “Never give up. Never back down. Fight until you can no longer fight, because Florida is worth fighting for. This state is unlike any other state in the nation. We’d like to keep it that way.”
