I write to you today not as a Democrat, but as someone who admires the foundational principles of the Republican Party.
As a Jamaican immigrant who chose to come to America, I was drawn to your values of legal immigration, hard work, limited government, and individual responsibility.
In a different political era, I might have identified as a Republican.
It is precisely because I hold these values dear that I feel compelled to raise an alarm about James Fishback’s candidacy for Governor.
His campaign represents a departure from your tradition and embracing him would be detrimental to a Florida where over one-fifth of us are immigrants contributing to its vibrant tapestry.
Let’s clarify what the Republican Party has historically stood for regarding immigration. It has advocated for orderly, legal immigration and upheld the belief that families like mine — who follow the rules, wait their turn, and arrive eager to work hard and contribute — are a net benefit to the nation.
However, Fishback employs rhetoric that intentionally blurs the distinction between legal and illegal immigration. His call for the mass deportation of individuals on legal H-1B visas is not a legitimate policy; it is an act of economic and moral self-sabotage.
These visa holders are not a drain on our society; they are the highly skilled engineers, researchers, and health care professionals who drive the innovation economy you rightly celebrate. Threatening them sends a message that Florida is closed for business and hostile to the very talent that keeps us competitive.
Moreover, we must examine the company he keeps and the voices he amplifies. A quick look at Fishback’s social media reveals a troubling pattern of courting and being celebrated by some of the most extreme white nationalist voices online. These individuals and groups espouse the toxic “replacement theory,” a conspiracy that is not only morally repugnant but fundamentally contrary to the very fabric of Florida.
Our state’s diversity is not a weakness to be lamented in dark corners of the internet; it is the foundation of our economic dynamism and cultural vitality.
For a candidate seeking Florida’s highest office to engage with these factions is a profound betrayal of every community that has helped build this state. It reflects a failure of moral leadership and a willingness to further divide Floridians for political gain, proving he is unfit to represent a state whose future relies on unity, not imported hatred.
Beyond his views, we must consider the essential question of character. Fishback’s professional record should raise significant concerns. His admission that he shared confidential information from his former employer, Greenlight Capital, for personal use — resulting in a legal settlement — is not a minor lapse; it is a fundamental breach of fiduciary duty and confidentiality.
If a man cannot be trusted with proprietary data from a hedge fund, how can he be trusted with the state’s secrets, its budget, and the welfare of 23 million Floridians? You, as Republicans, have rightly argued that character matters. Now is the time to demonstrate your commitment to this principle.
My friends, the rise of a candidate like Fishback is a test of your party’s soul.
The Grand Old Party of Lincoln and Reagan, which believed in a more perfect union, is being overshadowed by a politics of anger and exclusion. Fishback is a symptom of this decline. He is not a conservative; he is a provocateur whose platform is rooted in the politics of hate and resentment, a platform that would shrink our economy and tarnish Florida’s reputation as a beacon of opportunity.
I have not given up on the ideals that once attracted me to your party. I still believe in the promise of America. That is why I urge you to look beyond the angry rhetoric and see Fishback for what he truly is: a danger to your principles and a threat to our shared future.
For the sake of a vibrant, diverse, and prosperous Florida, I implore you to reject his candidacy with the clarity and conviction that your principles demand.
___
Christopher Nurse is a Jamaican-born political consultant and dog-lover focused on child protection, AI, domestic violence reform, and cross-partisan advocacy. His work has centered on amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals while navigating America’s cultural and political complexities firsthand. He can be reached at [email protected].