On Thursday evening, April 23rd, Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback visited the UCF campus for a second time this spring semester, drawing a large crowd of students to hear him speak about his policies.
The event, hosted by the UCF College Republicans chapter, was held in the College of Sciences Building and attracted approximately 300 attendees, including UCF students and members of the general public.
James Fishback, a fourth-generation Floridian who has toured the state to reach younger voters, centered his platform on fiscal issues affecting Florida families, including lower grocery prices, affordable housing, and access to retirement security.
His campaign also highlighted his goals of limiting H-1B visas, eliminating property taxes, and protecting women and “pre-born lives”, among other issues Fishback held concern for Florida’s economy and society
During his speech, Fishback delved deeper into his policies, emphasizing his campaign’s commitment to prioritizing American citizens.
“From here on out, it is America first,” he declared when criticizing the federal taxpayer spending priorities.
Fishback maintained a fluid speaking style throughout his speech, alternating between sharp, biting remarks and well-timed humor, drawing laughter from an otherwise attentive audience. He embedded quotes from figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Ronald Reagan to further emphasize his points.
Among his policy proposals, Fishback pointed to the possibility of revisiting the investigations tied to the Epstein Files, a case with longstanding ties to Florida, framing it as an issue of transparency and accountability across both Republicans and Democrats in office.
“I don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat,” he stated with conviction, “If you are in those files, you must be brought to justice.”
The reference drew a noticeable reaction of supportive applause from the audience, touching on a case that has remained a point of public interest in Florida since renewed attention during President Trump’s campaign, when he supported releasing the files.
Fishback tied this to one of his more widely discussed proposals: to tax OnlyFans “into oblivion,” as he put it, stating that he would ensure the government “works for you” for women undergoing financial hardship, reducing reliance on alternative sources of income.
Referencing a recent case at Florida International University involving a woman who was arrested after making a controversial statement in a group chat that references Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Fishback posed a rhetorical question to the audience about whether the outcome would have been the same under different circumstances.
He had used the incident to raise broader questions about free speech and whether similar statements would be treated differently depending on which political figures were involved.
As several audience members responded in agreement, one student in the front row dissented, catching Fishback’s attention.
Fishback challenged him, pausing his speech to address the comment and hear the student’s reasoning.
The student briefly elaborated on the matter, and the exchange brought a certain tension to the event, drawing the audience into silence before Fishback pushed back with his typical firm yet humorous tone, drawing supportive applause and amused laughter, then continued with his speech.
Following his closing remarks, Fishback stayed for a few extra minutes to answer questions from media representatives in a brief interview session.
In an interview with Knight News, Fishback was asked whether his campaign strategy – often associated with Gen Z-focused messaging – would be altered to appeal to a wider demographic.
“Not really,” he answered. “I think people are hungry for a message that resonates with all Americans.”
In his response, he referenced the Founding Fathers in 1776, claiming they had a message that resonated with people of all ages, not just the young or the old, and he strives to deliver a similar impact by fighting for a country that is both affordable and equal.
The conversation shifted to the debate between Fishback and U.S. Representative Byron Donalds this coming July, asking how he (Fishback) was preparing for the event and what he expected to come from it.
“You’re going to see Byron Donalds’s vision and my vision for the state that we love, side-by-side, in real time,” he replied quickly.
He highlighted that the debate will provide voters with a direct, live comparison between the two candidates, adding that both will be answering questions in what he described as a significant moment ahead of early voting, as it could be one of the final major impressions voters have before going to the polls.
James Fishback’s visit to UCF drew a largely supportive audience and underscored both his campaign messaging and his efforts to engage directly with the public ahead of the upcoming election.
