Jacob Ogles
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine canceled an appearance at a Republican Party of Florida event after officials announced Governor candidate James Fishback will speak.
Fine had been announced as a featured guest at the Sunshine State Showdown. But party officials announced an expanded guest list on Thursday that included several candidates for Governor, including Fishback, who has gained a following making openly racist attacks against frontrunner Byron Donalds.
“I have canceled my appearance at this event,” posted Fine, who is Jewish on X. “If the Florida GOP wants to host a Neo-Nazi rally, they will do it without me.”
Fishback made headlines earlier this year by denying entry to Jewish students at an event at the University of South Florida.
When asked about Fine canceling his appearance at the GOP event, Fishback rapidly voiced indifference.
“Good riddance,” he texted Florida Politics.
Fishback and Fine have had public and personal conflicts, with Fishback quoting Fine’s pro-Israel positions during an interview with right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson. Fine has notably called Carlson the “most dangerous antisemite” in the country.
Fine also canceled an appearance with the Heritage Foundation when leaders there refused to distance themselves from white nationalist Nick Fuentes, a controversial figure Fishback has repeatedly praised.
Fine has also endorsed Donalds, whom Fishback has repeatedly called “Byrone” and labeled a “DEI Hire” and despite the Black Congressman repeatedly winning elections to Congress and leading all Republican Primary polls.
The Republican Party recently announced only Donalds had met polling requirements to appear at a debate at the Sunshine State Showdown, as first reported by Florida’s Voice. But shortly after, the party announced multiple candidates would have guest speaking slots at the event.
In addition to Fishback and Donalds, that includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner, and hunter Bobby Williams, the latter of whom has not been included in most polls.
