Florida 2026 CFO race

Florida's CFO has a challenger

Rep. Kevin Steele, a Pasco County Republican, entered the 2026 race for Florida Chief Financial Officer on Tuesday, filing paperwork to challenge incumbent CFO Blaise Ingoglia, a key Ron DeSantis' ally, in next year’s GOP primary.

Steele, a former healthcare technology executive with an estimated net worth above $300 million, said his campaign will center on affordability, state spending oversight, and bringing private-sector management practices to the CFO’s office.

He launched his bid with an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who called Steele “a proven leader” and emphasized his business background.

Steele is the wealthiest man in the Florida Legislature. First elected in 2022 and re-elected last year, he reported his net worth at more than $307 million in his 2024 financial disclosure forms. Steele founded the Tampa software company DataLink Software in 2001 and retired from the company in 2022.

Among the bills he has filed for this legislative session is a measure (HB 113) that would require all state university and Florida College System institution board of trustees to rename specific roads or portions of roads after Charlie Kirk. If those institutions decline to do so, Steele’s bill calls for state funds to be withheld.

He’s also filed a resolution for a constitutional amendment (HJR 201) that would eliminate property taxes on homesteaded property.