Florida CFO Fight: DeSantis Snubs Trump Pick in Showdown
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., joins President Donald J. Trump, in the Cabinet Room of the White House Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, during a discussion with Governors-Elect from around the nation. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead. Public domain.
Florida's political landscape just got a whole lot messier. Governor Ron DeSantis's recent appointment of state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida's chief financial officer has ignited a fresh proxy war with President Donald Trump, exposing a deepening rift within the GOP. This move bypassed Trump-endorsed state Sen. Joe Gruters, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that could reshape the party's power dynamics in the Sunshine State ahead of the August 2026 GOP primary.
A Bold Appointment That Shakes the GOP
In July 2025, DeSantis made his pick for the vacant CFO position official at a press conference in Tampa, choosing Blaise Ingoglia, a loyal ally and conservative stalwart, over Joe Gruters, who had the backing of Trump and his inner circle. The appointment was more than a routine political decision. It was a clear signal that DeSantis is willing to challenge Trump's influence in Florida, even at the risk of fracturing the party's unity.
Ingoglia, a former chair of the Florida Republican Party and a state senator from Hernando County, has been a consistent supporter of DeSantis's agenda. His record includes backing tough voting restrictions, immigration crackdowns, and death penalty reforms. DeSantis reportedly praised Ingoglia's conservative credentials and his commitment to fiscal responsibility, emphasizing his focus on property tax relief, insurance affordability, and rooting out wasteful government spending.
Trump's Camp Strikes Back
Trump's team quickly rallied behind Gruters, a Sarasota CPA and former chair of the Florida GOP who has been a vocal Trump supporter for years. Gruters's campaign brought in heavy hitters from Trump's 2024 presidential run, including co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita and pollster Tony Fabrizio. They framed DeSantis's appointment of Ingoglia as a direct challenge to the MAGA agenda, vowing to defeat what they called a "poser" in the upcoming primary, as reported by POLITICO.
A recent poll by St. Pete Polls showed Gruters leading Ingoglia by a staggering 50 points when voters were informed of Trump's endorsement, underscoring the president's enduring sway over Florida's Republican base, as reported by POLITICO.
The Stakes: More Than Just a Cabinet Post
The Florida CFO role is no small matter. Beyond managing the state's checkbook, the CFO oversees critical regulatory agencies, including those that govern banking and insurance. With Florida facing surging property and car insurance costs, the position holds significant influence over policies that directly impact millions of residents.
DeSantis's choice of Ingoglia signals his intent to maintain control over these key issues, aligning the CFO's office closely with his conservative priorities. Ingoglia has already pledged to work "hand and glove" with the governor to push property tax reforms and hold insurance companies accountable for their contractual obligations, according to Orlando Weekly.
The Personal and Political Divide
The rivalry between DeSantis and Trump is no secret. Once presidential contenders, their relationship has oscillated between rivalry and tentative truce. Just weeks before Ingoglia's appointment, Trump had publicly praised DeSantis, saying DeSantis would "always be my friend" and suggesting their "blood ... seems to match pretty well," according to POLITICO. Yet, this appointment reveals that beneath the surface, tensions perhaps remain raw.
DeSantis reportedly justified bypassing Gruters by pointing to the latter's record, which includes support for a marijuana legalization ballot measure and votes against bills favored by the governor, such as those targeting public sector unions and immigration policies. DeSantis insisted that appointing Gruters would betray the conservative voters who elected him, saying "Joe Gruters has taken major positions that are totally contrary from what our voter base wants to do," according to POLITCO. He continued, "So if George Washington rose from the dead and came back and tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Will you appoint Joe Gruters CFO?' My response would be 'no.' I can't do that without betraying the voters that elected me to lead this state in a conservative direction."
Meanwhile, Gruters has been a thorn in DeSantis's side, openly criticizing the governor and aligning himself firmly with Trump's America First agenda. The appointment battle is as much about ideology and loyalty as it is about policy.
The Broader Implications for Florida GOP
This proxy war over the CFO position is a microcosm of a larger struggle for control within Florida's Republican Party. The stakes extend beyond one office to the future direction of the party and its leadership. DeSantis's willingness to defy Trump's endorsement could embolden other GOP figures to assert independence, while Trump's camp is determined to maintain its grip on the party's base.
The White House has reportedly indicated that Trump supports whatever Gruters decides to do but has not pressured DeSantis directly. However, Trump allies believe that the president's endorsement carries enough weight to override other factors in the primary.
What's Next?
Negotiations may continue behind the scenes, with some GOP operatives hoping for a deal that would allow Gruters to step aside in exchange for another position or concession. One suggestion includes DeSantis endorsing Trump-backed Rep. Byron Donalds for governor, though DeSantis has shown little interest in supporting Donalds, reportedly considering backing his wife, Casey DeSantis, for the role instead, as reported by POLITICO.
As the 2026 primary approaches, the battle for Florida's CFO seat will be a key test of the fragile truce between DeSantis and Trump. The outcome could signal which faction holds sway over the state GOP and set the tone for future contests.
What This Means for You
If you live in Florida, this political drama is more than just insider squabbling. The CFO's decisions on insurance and fiscal policy will affect your wallet, your taxes, and your access to affordable coverage. The fight between DeSantis and Trump's camps is a reminder that political power struggles often have real-world consequences.
For GOP voters, the choice between Ingoglia and Gruters will be a referendum on the party's future direction. Will Florida's Republicans rally behind DeSantis's loyalist, or will Trump's endorsement prove decisive? The answer will shape the state's political landscape for years to come.
The DeSantis-Trump proxy war is far from over. As you watch this battle unfold, remember that the stakes are high, the players are powerful, and the outcome will ripple far beyond Florida's borders.
References: New Trump-DeSantis proxy war launches over key Florida job | DeSantis appoints Ingoglia as Florida CFO | Gov. DeSantis picks Blaise Ingoglia for Florida CFO, says he would have never chosen Joe Gruters | Orlando
