Overview
- James Fishback, 30, officially filed for Florida governor, released a launch video, and held a Tallahassee press conference to kick off his 2026 Republican bid.
- At his event, Fishback attacked Rep. Byron Donalds and called him “a slave” to corporate interests, positioning himself as the heir to Ron DeSantis’ agenda.
- Fishback’s platform includes ending the use of H-1B visas in state government with penalties for reliant companies, blocking AI data centers, restricting large or foreign home purchases, and abolishing homestead property taxes.
- He faces rapid vetting as court records show a defeated protection injunction against him and an active Greenlight Capital lawsuit alleging misrepresentation and unpaid debts, alongside an ABC report on lobbying Trump aides for a Fed seat and disputed résumé claims.
- Early polling shows Donalds leading with roughly 40–45% support and Trump’s endorsement, while Fishback polls at about 1% or less as Donalds’ campaign dismisses him as a RINO.