Strength is in numbers -- and endorsements -- for Republican Party of Florida chairman Blaise Ingoglia, and on Wednesday, the Spring Hill Republican announced the endorsement of key Republican senators who want him to win a second term.
Wednesday’s endorsements include 10 senators, including future Senate President Bill Galvano, Sens. Kelli Stargel, Rob Bradley, Debbie Mayfield and Dana Young.
The endorsements are significant since Senate Republicans split from the RPOF when Ingoglia took over as chairman two years ago. Now, it appears at least some of them have rejoined the flock on Team Ingoglia.
“Over this past election cycle, there has been a lot of rhetoric from the Florida Democrat Party, the media and those who wanted the grassroots to fail, by trying to give the appearance that the Republican Party of Florida and the Florida Senate have not been unified in our shared goals,” Ingoglia said in a statement. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Ingoglia went on to say he has a “great working relationship” with Florida senators and the Senate leadership -- a relationship which will be key as Republicans try to continue their winning streak in the governor’s office and knock U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson out of his seat in Washington.
“I am committed to working collaboratively with the Florida Senate, the Florida House, our Congressional delegation, the Governor and the cabinet to advance our shared goals of making Florida the best state in the nation,” Ingoglia wrote.
The endorsements seem to indicate a softening relationship between Republican lawmakers and the state party, which fractured after Ingoglia unseated Gov. Rick Scott’s hand-pick for chair, Leslie Dougher.
The Senate Republicans and Scott still fundraise separately from the party. Party insiders say Scott and the RPOF’s relationship is still not functional.
Wednesday’s endorsements come as a blow to Ingoglia’s opponent, Christian Ziegler, who has largely campaigned on a unity platform.
"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.
At 33, Ziegler is a younger face in Republican politics although he has been involved in various campaigns and local party issues for years. A former staffer for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Ziegler has promised to reunite state Republicans to create a stronger party.
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.
He told Sunshine State News endorsements were inconsequential since the vote is done by a secret ballot.
Meanwhile, Ingoglia’s endorsement train keeps chugging along. Last week, Ingoglia announced the endorsements of 23 grassroots chair members, key figures and votes in his quest to be reelected to the job. Those endorsements came on top of 113 state committeemen and women who have all thrown their weight behind his run to lead the state party once more.
Ingoglia’s support hasn’t stopped on the ground level, though. Since announcing his candidacy last month, has reeled in the support of high-profile Florida Republicans, too. U.S Sen. Marco Rubio and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater have both endorsed Ingoglia for the job.
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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