James Fishback, the controversial Republican running for Florida governor, is set to address students and locals at the University of Central Florida’s College of Sciences building this evening at 5 p.m. The free, public event is the latest stop in a campaign that leans hard on in-person campus visits alongside a robust national online presence. Supporters are expected to share space with students and community members who have protested his previous appearances.
According to West Orlando News, Fishback’s campaign listed the College of Sciences building at 12716 Pegasus Drive for a 5 p.m. Thursday appearance and said no RSVP was required. UCF’s student paper KnightNews reported that the announcement came via the UCF College Republicans and noted that Fishback has visited campus groups there before.
Why His Campus Stops Draw Scrutiny
Fishback has repeatedly drawn headlines for comments and social media posts that critics say mirror far-right and antisemitic currents. As reported by the Miami Herald, he has defended followers of Nick Fuentes, embraced Christian-nationalist themes, and used rhetoric that many Jewish groups and Republican leaders have condemned.
Campus Fallout Has Followed
His appearances have intersected with broader disputes on Florida campuses. Inside Higher Ed reported that the University of Florida deactivated a College Republicans chapter amid allegations of antisemitic gestures shortly after hosting a Fishback event, a controversy that prompted legal filings and national attention.
What Fishback Says
On his campaign site, Fishback describes himself as “a fourth-generation Floridian” running to make life more affordable and says he plans to visit all 67 counties, per Fishback2026.com. Local reporting also quotes Fishback embracing the "Republican Party of President Donald Trump" and saying he became a Republican because of Charlie Kirk, language cited in West Orlando News.
Where He Fits In The Race
Fishback has carved out a noisy lane online but trails in statewide surveys. Emerson College polling from late March showed Byron Donalds well ahead while Fishback registered in the low single digits, according to Emerson College Polling. The Florida Division of Elections lists the primary election date as August 18, 2026, the calendar his campaign ultimately has to meet.
What To Expect Tonight
Turnout at Fishback’s campus events has ranged from a few dozen to several hundred; previous stops at UF and UCF drew long lines and packed rooms, according to WUFT. Organizers say the UCF appearance is open to the public, and campus security typically monitors political gatherings, so onlookers can expect a visible mix of cheering supporters, vocal critics, and the kind of political theater that has followed Fishback throughout his run.
