Florida GOP kicks far-right candidate out of debate in bizarre chain of events

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has gotten himself disinvited from the Sunshine State Showdown, a key primary debate for the GOP, after he was caught violating party rules.

According to the right-wing outlet Florida's Voice, Fishback's removal from the event came as a result of his agreeing to participate in another unauthorized debate immediately after accepting the invitation to the authorized one.

“After conversations with numerous Republican leaders, grassroots activists, and stakeholders from across Florida, it has become clear that entertaining Mr. Fishback’s overtures to participate in official Republican Party activities was a mistake," said Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. "Rather than participate in the Party’s official process, Mr. Fishback immediately chose to promote and participate in a rival, unsanctioned event in violation of Party rules."

Power also condemned Fishback's "antisemitic and racist attacks on members of our party," presumably a reference to his repeated demeaning nicknames for Trump-endorsed candidate Byron Donalds, who is Black, and his claims that Donalds would turn Florida "into a Section 8 ghetto."

"We want to be clear; racism and antisemitism have no place in our party. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard and we will continue to do so at the Republican Party of Florida," said Power.

Fishback, a 31-year-old hedge fund manager who has gained an intense political following of young Republicans and social media influencers, has become a constant lightning rod for controversy.

He has threatened to shoot anyone who threatens his staff, recently told a Black activist that he "should be lynched" for asking him about the allegations he had inappropriate contact with teenagers, and was banned from every Waffle House in Florida.