*** man looking to be your next governor is looking for the perfect match, but he isn’t searching for *** romantic connection. I believe that candidates have to show up where voters least expect them sometimes. James Fishback says he’s swiping right for votes. Gulf Coast News reporter David Lias talked with the candidate about how his dating app tactic could boost his numbers. Well, snapping the perfect picture is what you want when you’re on the popular dating app Tinder. The man who wants to be Florida’s next governor telling me that he’s downloaded Tinder and he’s trying to attract the attention of young women in hopes of gaining their vote. Tinder is not for dating. It is for connecting with young women where they are. But going on Tinder and saying that you’re targeting younger women, that’s where it’s weird. That’s where it’s like, it’s not, that doesn’t sound OK. What I’m telling women when I matched with them on there is, here’s my detailed plan. It includes helping young couples buy their first home, opening statewide. Pregnancy centers and paid maternity leave. I like the message that he wants paid maternity leave for women. Now the way he’s going about it, going on Tinder of all things, that’s where I draw *** line. That’s where it gets *** little creepy. Well, it’s certainly unconventional, I’ll tell you that. People have asked why is he reaching out only to young women? Is he reaching out to young men, perhaps using Grindr? I have no plans to be joining Grindr. What I will be doing is I’ll be meeting young men on the campaign trail, but many young men find the 31-year-old’s Tinder profile odd. You might be talking to like 1920 year olds that just got out of like high school, going into college. That’s *** little, *** little strange, but there’s better ways to like connect to like the community. And going on *** dating app might not be the best way. Republican political consultant Terry Miller agrees, and you target the people with voting history, not random girls on Tinder. Fishback though, defending his campaign strategy. There does have to be connection, and it’s important. There is *** connection between me and female voters, and that’s exactly why I’ve joined Tinder. James Fishback faces off against Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, none of whom are on Tinder, Dave Elias, Gulf Coast News.
Florida gubernatorial candidate uses Tinder to connect with young female voters
Updated: 8:00 PM EST Feb 3, 2026
James Fishback, a candidate for Florida governor, is using Tinder to connect with young female voters as part of his campaign strategy, drawing mixed reactions from the public.”Tinder is not for dating. It’s for connecting with young women where they are,” Fishback said.Alexa Avila-Martinez, from Fort Myers, expressed her concerns, saying, “Going on Tinder and saying you’re targeting younger women … that’s where it’s weird … that doesn’t sound okay.”Fishback detailed his campaign plan to those he matches with on Tinder, which includes initiatives like helping young couples buy their first home, opening statewide pregnancy centers, and providing paid maternity leave.”I like the message that he wants paid maternity leave for women. Now, the way he is going about it on Tinder, of all things … that’s where I draw the line. It gets a little creepy,” Avila-Martinez said.Fishback acknowledged the unconventional nature of his approach. “Well, it’s certainly unconventional, I’ll tell you that,” he said.Some people have asked why Fishback is reaching out only to young women and whether he might use Grindr to connect with young men. Fishback humorously dismissed the idea, stating, “I have no plans to be joining Grindr! What I will be doing is meeting young men on the campaign trail.”Despite his intentions, some young men find Fishback’s Tinder profile odd. Kaleb Brown, from Naples, commented, “You might be talking to like 19 or 20 years old who just got out of high school going into college. That is a little strange.”Daniel Andred from Fort Myers suggested there are better ways to connect with the community, saying, “Going on a dating app may not be the best way.”Republican political consultant Terry Miller also questioned the strategy. “You target the people with voting history … not random girls on Tinder,” Miller said.Fishback defended his approach, emphasizing the importance of connecting with female voters. “There does have to be a connection, and it’s important that there is a connection between me and female voters. That’s exactly why I joined Tinder,” he said.Fishback faces off against Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins — none of whom are on Tinder.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
James Fishback, a candidate for Florida governor, is using Tinder to connect with young female voters as part of his campaign strategy, drawing mixed reactions from the public.
“Tinder is not for dating. It’s for connecting with young women where they are,” Fishback said.
Alexa Avila-Martinez, from Fort Myers, expressed her concerns, saying, “Going on Tinder and saying you’re targeting younger women … that’s where it’s weird … that doesn’t sound okay.”
Fishback detailed his campaign plan to those he matches with on Tinder, which includes initiatives like helping young couples buy their first home, opening statewide pregnancy centers, and providing paid maternity leave.
“I like the message that he wants paid maternity leave for women. Now, the way he is going about it on Tinder, of all things … that’s where I draw the line. It gets a little creepy,” Avila-Martinez said.
Fishback acknowledged the unconventional nature of his approach. “Well, it’s certainly unconventional, I’ll tell you that,” he said.
Some people have asked why Fishback is reaching out only to young women and whether he might use Grindr to connect with young men. Fishback humorously dismissed the idea, stating, “I have no plans to be joining Grindr! What I will be doing is meeting young men on the campaign trail.”
Despite his intentions, some young men find Fishback’s Tinder profile odd. Kaleb Brown, from Naples, commented, “You might be talking to like 19 or 20 years old who just got out of high school going into college. That is a little strange.”
Daniel Andred from Fort Myers suggested there are better ways to connect with the community, saying, “Going on a dating app may not be the best way.”
Republican political consultant Terry Miller also questioned the strategy. “You target the people with voting history … not random girls on Tinder,” Miller said.
Fishback defended his approach, emphasizing the importance of connecting with female voters. “There does have to be a connection, and it’s important that there is a connection between me and female voters. That’s exactly why I joined Tinder,” he said.
Fishback faces off against Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins — none of whom are on Tinder.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.