Jimmy Patronis urges Gov. DeSantis to name his successor before he leaves as CFO

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is strongly urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to name his successor quickly. Patronis submitted a resignation in November to run for Congress in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, and Monday will be his last day.

“I wanted to ensure the transition is seamless,” Patronis wrote to DeSantis. “I take the functions of this office very seriously and believe a new CFO should be identified prior to my exit, and sworn in no later than the evening of April 2, 2025.”

Patronis noted that Florida law required he resign his seat to seek another office. That resignation is irrevocable, and while the Panama City Republican heads into an April 1 Special Election a favorite based on voter registration numbers, he must leave his office after Monday either way.

Patronis has publicly endorsed Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican who already filed to run for Chief Financial Officer in 2026, to immediately take over the role. But Patronis’ letter makes no mention of his preference and stressed that the decision on who to appoint to the Cabinet post rests with DeSantis.

But Patronis also said he wants to help with a transition.

“While the decision on who runs the Department of Financial Services lies exclusively with you, it is my honest belief that it is in the interest of the agency, and the people of Florida, to announce the appointment prior to my exit to allow for a certain level of overlap,” Patronis wrote.

Patronis also noted that he will leave his current office halfway through the Legislative Session. That makes it all the more important that a new CFO be in place to meet with lawmakers to handle agency priorities regarding the state budget and insurance issues.

“This agency is very important and is not to be overlooked as something that could function on autopilot,” Patronis wrote. “We are providing oversight and making decisions every day to help people, and a strong leader who is fully apprised of DFS’s role in Florida is critical to ensuring nothing breaks and that the trains continue to run on time.”

Patronis also recalled that he was originally appointed to the CFO post by former Gov. Rick Scott, replacing former CFO Jeff Atwater when he resigned to become President of Florida Atlantic University. Atwater aided Patronis through a transition, and Patronis would like to do the same with his successor.

“I will be forever grateful to CFO Atwater for how he handled transition, and helped me as I entered a new space,” Patronis wrote. “In the coming days, someone will be in the same position, and I want to make sure that my team is doing right by whomever you decide to place in this role.”