By Anita Padilla
Polk County Young Republicans logo (left) and controversial former Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback (right). (Official photos)
The Polk County Young Republicans are facing sharp criticism from fellow Republican groups and online commentators after announcing an upcoming event featuring James Fishback, who finished third in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial primary and drew controversy during his campaign over false accusations against rivals and inflammatory public statements.
The club posted on X on Nov. 9 that Fishback would be coming to Lakeland, with the event open to the public. Fishback, who has said he plans to run for president in 2028 while being ineligible because of his age, has indicated he will discuss lessons from the midterm elections.
The announcement quickly drew pushback. The Capital Young Republicans responded directly, writing: “Just to be clear, the Capital Young Republicans have established a moratorium on James Fishback speaking at any of our events.”
Other responses were more pointed. Robert J. Salvador questioned the decision, writing, “Did you miss the part where he was caught creating a fake sex trafficker website and texts against Byron Donalds? What are you thinking?” Max Nordau wrote, “Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t available so they got the next best thing.”
Fishback finished a distant third in the Aug. 18 Republican primary for governor with roughly 10.5% of the vote, well behind Byron Donalds, who won the nomination and went on to win the general election. During the campaign, Fishback publicly claimed that Donalds and U.S. Rep. Cory Mills were under federal investigation for sex trafficking.
The Department of Justice publicly denied that Donalds was under investigation, with a spokesperson describing the allegation as a “dangerous form of weaponization.” Fishback later issued a public apology in late October, admitting he had “bore false witness” based on information from someone he trusted and citing his Catholic faith after speaking with a priest.
Critics have also highlighted Fishback’s other statements and associations during the race, including use of the term “goyslop” to describe school cafeteria food, remarks characterizing Donalds as a “slave” to donors and a “DEI hire,” and comments promoting “white genocide” and “great replacement” theories. He has drawn support from figures associated with the Groyper movement and has been criticized for inflammatory rhetoric that led to his campaign being banned from Waffle House restaurants.
Polk County Young Republicans President Hunter Branstner, who also serves as the secretary for the Florida Young Republicans, did not respond to a request for comment. The club’s social media announcement did not address the controversies surrounding Fishback.
The episode has highlighted disagreements among young Republican organizations in Florida over whether to give Fishback a platform, even after his primary defeat. He retains a following among some online and anti-establishment conservatives.
Once again I am reminded how glorious it is to be DISCONNECTED from social media.