In the midst of the race for Florida's gubernatorial seat in 2026, Republican candidate James Fishback, an investment executive and founder of Incubate Debate, faces allegations from a former teenage employee regarding an inappropriate relationship. The allegations have surfaced through amended court records filed in April 2025 and have been reported on by various media outlets including Florida Politics, NBC News, and The Daily Caller.
The former employee, Keinah Fort, has claimed that her relationship with Fishback turned personal in 2022 when she was 17 years old and that Fishback had instructed her to keep the relationship private. The court documents reveal that after Fort turned 18, she and Fishback lived together briefly and were engaged. Fort also accused Fishback of volatile behavior and alleged that he continued to contact her after the relationship ended. Despite these claims, a judge denied Fort's request for a protection order earlier this year, stating that the evidence did not meet the legal standard for stalking.
President Trump has not been linked to the controversy, and his administration has remained neutral on the issue. Fishback has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he was exonerated after two thorough court hearings. He has never faced arrest, charges, or convictions related to the accusations. He has also suggested that Fort struggled with mental health issues before their relationship.
Further complicating the matter, Broward County Public Schools confirmed that they ended their association with Fishback and Incubate Debate in 2022 following raised concerns involving a minor. However, Fishback contends that he never formally volunteered with the district and has dismissed NBC's reporting on the issue as politically motivated, labeling it as a "silly hit piece."
The controversy has had repercussions for Incubate Debate, with advisory board member Nicole Castillo resigning in early 2023, citing the claims against Fishback in her resignation letter. The organization subsequently lost access to a tournament venue due to the allegations. Fishback later admitted to not informing the advisory board of the allegations but maintained their lack of merit.
Despite the surrounding controversy, Fishback has positioned himself as a conservative reformer and political outsider in his gubernatorial bid. He has garnered attention for his provocative social media statements, particularly towards Republican primary rival Rep. Byron Donalds, and his proposal related to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative. As the Republican primary field takes shape, Governor Ron DeSantis has not endorsed a candidate, and his office has declined to comment on the situation.
Fishback's campaign continues to unfold as the allegations remain a part of the discourse surrounding his candidacy. His recent tweet challenging NBC's reporting further illustrates the heated exchange between the candidate and certain media outlets.
