TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican gubernatorial hopeful James Fishback’s political action committee was hit with an automatic $150 fine after missing a filing deadline, a setback for the long-shot candidate’s fledgling campaign.
The Florida Division of Elections notified Florida First PAC on April 14, 2026, that its treasurer’s report, due April 10, was not filed until April 13, three days late. The $150 penalty was assessed automatically under state law, according to a letter sent to the committee’s chairperson, Emma Wright.
“You have 20 days from the receipt of this notice to either: 1. Pay the fine to the Florida Division of Elections […] or 2. Appeal the fine to the Florida Elections Commission,” the notice reads. It warns that if a candidate pays the fine, it cannot be charged as a campaign expense and must come from personal funds.
Florida First PAC was created last November to support Fishback’s bid to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. The committee reported zero fundraising activity in 2025, and the late filing marks the first public stumble for a campaign already viewed as a long-shot in the crowded Republican primary field.
The penalty, while modest, underscores the challenges facing Fishback, a fourth-generation Floridian and first-time candidate who has positioned himself as a limited-government advocate. With the 2026 election still more than six months away, the episode raises fresh questions about whether his operation can handle even routine compliance requirements.
The committee has until early May to pay the fine or file an appeal with the Florida Elections Commission.
