Republican Party of Florida chairman Blaise Ingoglia continues to rack up endorsements in his bid for reelection.
On Tuesday, Ingoglia announced the endorsements of 23 grassroots chair members. Grassroots support has been at the heart of Ingoglia's strategy since he took the helm of the party in 2015.
"The grassroots of the Republican Party of Florida is literally the lifeblood of our organization," Ingoglia wrote to party members Tuesday. "You are the ones who knock on the doors, make the phone calls, organize the precincts and most importantly...get good Republicans elected."
Ingoglia isn't just working a ground game, though. Since announcing his candidacy last month, has reeled in the support of high-profile Florida Republicans like Marco Rubio, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a handful of congressmen as well as 113 state committeemen and women who all have thrown their weight behind his play at a second term.
Tuesday's endorsements included a variety of state committeemen and women as well as local county party chairs from large counties like Broward to smaller areas like Sumter County.
"Each grassroots endorsement is special to me, and your friendship and support mean more than you would ever know," Ingoglia wrote Tuesday.
The Spring Hill Republican's path to a second term isn't entirely free of opposition, however. Sarasota Republican Committeeman Christian Ziegler threw his name into the ring to face off against Ingoglia before Ingoglia announced his campaign last month.
At 33, Ziegler is somewhat of a fresh face in Republican politics although he has been involved in various campaigns and local party issues for years.
Ziegler is running on a platform of unity within the party, which fractured after Ingoglia took over in an upset election, knocking Gov. Rick Scott's hand-picked candidate, Leslie Dougher.
"As we turn the page from the election, we have a lot of work to do over the next two years to ensure victory in 2018 -- work that takes focus and resources," Ziegler said last month.
Since Ingoglia took over the party, fundraising has been split. Gov. Scott now raises money separately from the party and the Senate Republicans have left the RPOF fundraising as well.
Sources in the party told Sunshine State News the RPOF had contacted the governor several times to make amends but had not received any feedback.
Ziegler, who some believe is a Scott favorite, serves as the chair for the 134-member RPOF State Committeemen and Committeewomen's Caucus but has not announced a large amount of endorsements in his bid for chair.
The election will be held Jan. 13 and 14 at the party's next quarterly meeting in Orlando.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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