State Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, officially announced his campaign for Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on Tuesday, launching a high-stakes Republican primary challenge against incumbent CFO Blaise Ingoglia. The move sets the stage for a GOP clash for the Cabinet seat in the 2026 election.
Steele, founder of the Tampa-based health-care technology company DataLink Software and known as the wealthiest member of the state legislature, enters the race with a high-profile endorsement from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.
In his announcement, Steele addressed affordability issues, particularly property insurance, and reducing government spending, stating, “I’ll bring that same America First, results-driven mindset to protect taxpayers and make Florida more affordable and stronger than ever.”
Ingoglia, a former state senator, was appointed CFO by Gov. Ron DeSantis this summer following the departure of Jimmy Patronis. Ingoglia has been a key figure in DeSantis’s push to lower property taxes, traveling across the state to target local government spending.
Ingoglia’s campaign quickly responded to Steele’s entry, suggesting the wealthy lawmaker was trying to “buy a seat on Florida’s Cabinet.” Ingoglia’s political director, John Wallace, highlighted the incumbent’s strong fundraising—with over $3.1 million raised across his political and campaign committees since his appointment—and a slate of endorsements, including most of Florida’s sheriffs. Wallace stated that Floridians “will never support someone who thinks they can buy a seat.”
The primary battle features a contrast in approaches to property taxes. Steele is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 201) to eliminate non-school homestead property taxes. Ingoglia, meanwhile, is championing the DeSantis administration’s broader push to ask voters in 2026 to drastically cut or eliminate property taxes by targeting local spending.
READ: Florida CFO Files Amicus Brief In Trump Library Land Deal, Calls Lawsuit ‘Blatant Political Attack’
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