Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Blaise Ingoglia clearly wants another term as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. And he’s lining up the grassroots support to win re-election.
Ingoglia, the current chairman of the RPOF and a state representative, officially announced his candidacy Monday. The Spring Hill Republican also announced the support of dozens of Republican leaders from across the state, including state committeemen and women from Miami-Dade, Pinellas, and Palm Beach counties.
“Two years ago, when I announced I was running for RPOF Chairman, I did so after talking to many of you about the importance of emphasizing the grassroots in our elections and our party,” he said in an email to executive committee members across the state. “Your support launched us on an incredible journey that included a lot of lofty goals and expectations.”
For a full list of the state executive committee members backing Ignoglia, click here.
Ingoglia was elected chairman in 2015, after Republican activists rejected Gov. Rick Scott’s hand-picked chairman. He had served as the party vice chairman, and was backed by grassroots leaders throughout the state.
He’s hoping that same support will help him win another term as chairman. In an email formally announcing his candidacy, he said he was running again “with the support of many of our fellow RPOF members — the grassroots who knocked on doors and made the phone calls that pushed Republican candidates across the finish line.”
“Now, we’re standing together as we get ready for a 2018 cycle that will determine Florida’s future for years to come,” he wrote. “I cannot thank you enough for all the hard work and dedication you have given to the party over the last two years. I can’t wait to see what we’ll be able to accomplish together during the next two.”
Ingoglia will face Christian Ziegler, a Sarasota Republican committeeman, in the race to serve as the RPOF chair.
Ziegler, 33, announced his candidacy earlier this month.
