During a campaign stop at the University of North Florida, Republican candidate James Fishback engaged young supporters but also faced protests and criticism.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback drew both support and criticism during a campaign stop at the University of North Florida, where he held a town hall event that attracted young voters and student demonstrators.
A line of supporters filled the University Center on Wednesday night, many of them young conservatives who said they relate to Fishback and his message.
“I think as a young Republican, James Fishback represents our group the best,” Jacksonville resident Brandon Lee said.
Petr Paliy, a freshman at UNF, said Fishback’s campaign is appealing to younger voters.
“More of a younger face, kind of appealing more to young people,” Paliy said, adding he attended the event to hear the candidate speak in person after seeing his ideas online.
Fishback used the town hall to focus on issues including affordability, education and conservation. He also said Florida is “losing its identity.”
His campaign says he has visited 51 of Florida’s 67 counties.
Wednesday’s event marked the first stop of Fishback’s “1989 tour,” where he connects with students and communities.
While supporters gathered inside, a group of students held a silent protest outside the venue.
Members of Jacksonville Students for a Democratic Society criticized Fishback over what they described as racist and offensive remarks.
“Allowing for speakers like this to be on our campus makes students feel unsafe,” said Stone Sevieux, a member of the group.
Critics pointed to a recent viral video that shows Fishback telling a Black man he “should be lynched” during a heated confrontation. The exchange stemmed from accusations related to past sexual misconduct allegations against Fishback.
Sevieux said the response raised concerns.
“Reacting in that way not only is disgusting, but shows a lot of guilt to me,” Sevieux said.
Fishback addressed the backlash in an interview prior to the town hall, defending his actions and emphasizing his stance on free speech.
“Just know that as your governor, I will protect your First Amendment rights to criticize me or anyone in our state,” Fishback said.
He also said he does not regret the comments made in the viral video, claiming the individual involved had been harassing his supporters and volunteers for months.
“He comes to our events, he gets in my face, he spits at our security guard, he yells racial epithets and it’s not on video, and I respond accordingly. So no, I don’t regret what I said,” Fishback said.
“My view is simple. The word police, the tone police, those days are over,” Fishback said. “I can assure you I’m going to be a governor for every Floridian in our state.”
A spokesperson for the University of North Florida said the event was not affiliated with the school and was booked by the Fishback campaign. The university, as a public institution, rents its facilities to external groups, the spokesperson said.