Florida GOP Campaign Disruption
Florida Republican Candidate James Fishback Draws Young Men, Shaking Up GOP Primary Race
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James Fishback, a 31-year-old investment executive, is shaking up Florida's 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary by drawing crowds of young men to college campuses across the state. His aggressive, social media-driven campaign targets U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds — the clear frontrunner polling at roughly 50% — while Fishback himself sits between 4% and 9% in the polls, according to Palm Beach Post.
The campaign has been barred from official Florida GOP primary events. Party chairman Evan Power says "racism and antisemitism have no place in our party." Yet Fishback keeps drawing supporters — and controversy — at every stop.
Fishback Builds a Young Male Army on Social Media
Fishback launched his campaign in November 2025 with no political experience and a blunt pitch: he won't vote for any Republican who takes money from AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group. He has visited 51 of Florida's 67 counties on what he calls his "1989 Tour," according to Herald Tribune. His stops at the University of Florida drew standing-room-only crowds of mostly young men.
His appeal taps into the "manosphere" — a digital world of young men who feel left out of mainstream politics. Roger Shermann, 28, served as a regional coordinator for the campaign. He says Fishback's message on housing costs and property taxes hits harder than identity politics. "It's about real problems," Shermann told Naples News.
Antisemitism Charges and a Campus Controversy at USF
Critics say Fishback's campaign is not just populist — it is dangerous. At a University of South Florida event in April 2026, Jewish students were blocked from entering. Supporters were reported mocking Jewish attendees. State Rep. Randy Fine, the Florida GOP's most prominent Jewish member, called a party event featuring Fishback a "Neo-Nazi rally," according to Tallahassee Democrat.
Fishback uses internet slang like "goyslop" — a term from far-right online spaces used to mock Jewish culture — at his rallies. He has also pledged to pull $385 million in Florida state funds from Israel Bonds to spend on domestic infrastructure. The Republican Party of Florida officially banned him from the "Sunshine State Showdown" debate in June 2026, citing his "antisemitic and racist attacks," according to TC Palm.
DeSantis vs. the Florida GOP Over Debate Access
Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and can't run again. But he has stayed very active in the primary. When the RPOF banned Fishback from the official debate, DeSantis publicly criticized the party's decision — a move widely read as a defense of Fishback, according to News-Press. Some GOP insiders say DeSantis wants to block Donalds from winning with a strong mandate, to protect his own future power in Florida politics.
Donalds has raised over $368,000 from AIPAC-linked donors, a fact Fishback hammers at every event. Fishback, by contrast, claims he runs on small-dollar donations from young supporters. Whether or not DeSantis is pulling strings, the feud has cracked the Florida GOP wide open ahead of the 2026 general election, according to Jacksonville.com.
What Fishback's Rise Means for Florida Republicans
Even at 4-9% in the polls, Fishback could reshape the race. Analysts say if he pulls even 5% of primary votes, it could force Donalds to move further right — making him weaker in a general election. Student groups at the University of North Florida and USF have already launched silent protests against Fishback's campus appearances, according to News Journal Online.
There are also serious personal allegations hanging over the campaign. A former employee filed court documents claiming Fishback "groomed" her when she was an underage student in his debate program. Fishback denies the claims and calls them political sabotage. The combination of controversy, charisma, and a clear economic message has made Fishback the most disruptive figure in Florida Republican politics heading into 2026, according to Daily Commercial.
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