Republican candidate for Florida governor James Fishback took the stage at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center on April 8, pitching a return to the “Old Florida” of 1989. 

Fishback presented a campaign strategy focused on unity and Christian principles, a notable shift from his previous culture-war rhetoric that resonated strongly with audience members.

However, his appeal to “shoot the corrupt bird” of partisan politics and his vow to roll back post-Parkland gun restrictions conflict with Floridian sentiment, according to UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab data.

From culture wars to Christian principles

In November 2025, when Fishback announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2026 election, he outlined goals to continue Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legacy.

“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 that invaded our country on Kamala Harris’ watch,” said Fishback in a social media post on X.

In his speech at UNF’s Adam W. Herbert University Center, Fishback deviated from this rhetoric.

“Drag queens aren’t the reason we are losing the identity of our state and so I refuse to participate in any culture war, except one that advances the principles of my Christian faith, that you love your neighbor, you look out for your neighbor, you defend your neighbor, you look to your neighbor for help, and you reciprocate in return,” said Fishback.

When asked about Fishback’s shift in rhetoric and controversial past, Floridian and elementary school teacher Abigail Price said, “everyone deserves a second chance”.

“What I like about [Fishback] is he seems real, he speaks to us like we’re people, and he’s honest, he seems like he wants to help us,” Price said. “So I think, even if those things were true, he is clearly changing and growing every day for this position as governor and for the Florida people.”

Georgia native Lincoln Porter shared a similar sentiment, calling Fishback’s ideals “refreshing” for a politician and noting that the candidate has never served in elected office.

“Even though I’m not from here [Florida], I just had to hear him speak,” said Porter. “Everything’s so political and divided these days, and we need to stay together.”

Fishback framed the upcoming election as a moral battle of “good versus evil” rather than a purely partisan one. 

“The Right and Left wings are attached to the same corrupt, deceptive, deceitful, disingenuous, depraved bird,” said Fishback. “I am asking you, I am begging you to hire me as your next governor to shoot that bird out of the sky.”

This appeal for unity resonates with the 12% of Floridians, particularly Independents, who cite political polarization as a major concern, according to the PORL survey.

In his speech, Fishback also vowed to roll back post-Parkland age restrictions on firearm purchases, asserting that 18-year-olds are old enough for military service and should be old enough to buy weapons. 

“If you are old enough to die for your country, you are old enough to buy a weapon on your 18th birthday,” Fishback said.

However, the PORL survey demonstrates that public sentiment remains cautious regarding guns, with 64% of Floridians, including a majority of Republicans, supporting prohibiting firearms at protests following recent national incidents.

“Bipartisan support for targeted gun prohibitions might be explained by recent violence against high-profile figures such as President Trump and Charlie Kirk, and/or by the role of firearm possession in the death of Alex Pretti during ICE protests in Minneapolis,” PORL Director Sean Freeder said in the PORL survey press release.

Fishback concluded his speech with a prayer, following the claim that Christianity is the “most persecuted group on the face of the Earth.”

Twenty-year-old Tyler Ambrose, who attended the event, said that Fishback inspired him to “restore American ideals” in Florida.

“Just like our current great governor, we need to make sure our state is for us and everyone in our country,” said Ambrose.

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