BREAKING: Republican investor announces run for Florida governor

November 24, 2025

From First Coast News: Florida’s race for governor is getting more crowded, as Republican James Fishback announced Monday that he’s entering the 2026 race.

Fishback, of Madison, FL, is the CEO of investment firm Azoria and officially filed himself as a candidate for the gubernatorial race.

Rep. Byron Donalds, a candidate backed by President Trump, is one of Fishback’s primary opponents. Fishback claims that Donalds “won’t fight for Florida.”

In a video posted to X where he announces his campaign, Fishback criticizes Donalds’ support for H-1B visas, construction of AI data centers and stock trading in Congress.

Fishback is 30 years old, and is also the founder of “Incubate Debate” which hosts free high school debate tournaments. He joins a list of about 20 candidates who are now running for governor of Florida.

Posting a video announcing his campaign Monday morning, Fishback wrote, “BREAKING: I’m running to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next Republican Governor to make life more affordable for you and your family.”

“I’ll stop the H-1B scam, tell Blackstone they can’t buy our homes, cancel AI Data Centers, and abolish property taxes,” he added.

In the video, Fishback argued, “Congressman Byron Donalds can’t be our next governor because he won’t fight for Florida. I will. I’ll fight to preserve Governor DeSantis’ wins by keeping Florida free from DEI, radical transgenderism, Soros-backed prosecutors, child predators, voter fraud, and the millions of illegals who invaded our country on Kamala Harris’ watch.”

BREAKING: I’m running to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next Republican Governor to make life more affordable for you and your family.

I’ll stop the H-1B scam, tell Blackstone they can’t buy our homes, cancel AI Data Centers, and abolish property taxes. pic.twitter.com/IMDs4kPC9l

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) November 24, 2025