James Fishback, the CEO of an investment firm, finished third in the Republican primary for governor with 10% of the vote, concluding his campaign. University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said the result was modest for a candidate who was considered outside the mainstream Republican Party. His watch party at a Tampa airport hotel gathered a group dominated by young White men, a demographic that responded most to his anti‑establishment messaging. Jake Hoffman, executive director of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said the appeal stemmed from a desire among many Americans, not just Republicans, for candidates who challenge the political establishment. He said Fishback attracted 18‑30‑year‑old males by addressing economic concerns such as housing affordability, employment, and family formation. Several of those young supporters told the Phoenix that they viewed Fishback’s ‘Florida First’ agenda as an alternative to what they described as broken promises from long‑time politicians. David Ramirez, 18, from Plant City, said social media helped Fishback reach his generation. Corey Griffore, 20, who owns a boat‑detailing business and left high school early, said he supported Fishback’s anti‑establishment stance and planned to vote for David Jolly in November rather than for Byron Donalds. Griffore questioned the practice of always voting for the party’s primary nominee, asking how real change could occur otherwise. Nick Fuentes, a far‑right activist known for antisemitic statements, praised Fishback’s campaign, describing him as a model for a future president. Fishback’s campaign generated several controversies. A federal judge ordered him to pay Greenlight Capital more than $1.3 million for misappropriating confidential information. He was sued for allegedly failing to deliver an $8,000 scholarship promised to a high school debate champion after she won a competition linked to a company he founded. Jay Collins filed a lawsuit challenging whether Fishback met the state’s seven‑year residency requirement; a Leon County judge ruled that Fishback had not intended to establish residency in Washington, D.C., but that the court could not decide the governor’s race. Fishback selected Sean Lozano as a running mate; Lozano had been dismissed from the Lauderhill Police Department and is under investigation for conduct in a separate incident. Fishback made statements that were characterized as racist or antisemitic and was barred from the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Showdown Summit in June. He accused Donalds of being under a federal investigation for sex trafficking; the Department of Justice later said no such investigation existed. Donalds responded that the accusations were ridiculous. In his concession speech, Fishback said the movement behind his campaign would continue, noting that the opposition raised over $100 million while his campaign raised far less, yet achieved ten times as many votes per dollar. He said the movement was motivated by opposition to AIPAC and a desire to impact Florida, and he urged supporters to recommit to founding values. Reporter Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix covered the event.