Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Blaise Ingoglia is rolling out more endorsements from grassroots supporters in his re-election bid for Republican Party of Florida chair.
The Spring Hill Republican announced Tuesday another two-dozen local Republican leaders have thrown their support behind his re-election bid. The endorsements signal continued grassroots support for Ingoglia as Florida GOP chair.
“The grassroots of the Republican Party of Florida is literally the lifeblood of our organization,” he said in an email to members of the state party’s executive committee. “You are the ones who knock on the doors, make the phone calls, organize the precincts and most importantly … get good Republicans elected.”
The latest round of endorsements includes:
— Tony Ledbetter, Chair, Volusia Co.
— Kevin Brown, Chair, Escambia Co.
— Chuck Brannan, Chair, Baker Co.
— John Black, SCM, Sumter Co.
— Sherri Ortega, Chair, Suwanee Co.
— Earl Claire, SCM, Highlands Co.
— Sally Claire, SCW, Highlands Co.
— Barry Jolette, Chair, Charlotte Co.
— Toby Overdorf, Chair, Martin Co.
— Karyn Morton, Chair, Duval Co.
— Paul Deering, SCM, Volusia Co.
— Stacey Hetherington, SCW, Martin Co.
— George Gasparini, Chair, Citrus Co.
— Bob Sutton, Chair, Broward Co.
— Randy Evans, Chair, Pasco Co.
— John Allocco, Chair, Hernando Co.
— J.C. Martin, Chair, Polk Co.
— Bob Bezick, Chair, Madison Co.
— James Campo, SCM, Martin Co.
— Chris Norton, SCW, Baker Co.
— Marina Woolcock, SCW, Sumter Co.
— Joanne Updegrave, Chair, Flagler Co.
— Chris Summerlin, SCW, Suwanee Co.
“Each grassroots endorsement is special to me, and your friendship and support mean more than you would ever know,” said Ingoglia. “I look forward to continuing our discussion on our shared goals as we prepare for another successful election in 2018.”
Ingoglia was elected chairman in 2015, after Republican activists rejected Gov. Rick Scott’s hand-picked chairman. He previously served as the vice chairman on the state party.
Ingoglia will face Christian Ziegler, a Sarasota Republican committeeman, in the race to serve as the RPOF chair.
Ziegler, 33, announced his candidacy in November.
