In the heat-soaked winds of Florida’s politics, a new voice rises, stirring the dust with promises sharp enough to split the horizon.
James Fishback, a 30-year-old former Doge architect and hedge fund founder, has entered the 2026 Florida governor’s race with a sharply defined message centred on immigration—specifically, a crackdown on H-1B visa holders.
James Fishback Enters Florida Governor’s Race with Hardline H-1B Agenda
Fishback recently declared that if he is elected, he would be firing every H1B worker at state agency and shall also cancel state contracts with those companies that employ H-1B workers instead of Floridians. With this stance, he has positioned himself as the race’s toughest critic of foreign work visas.
In a post on X, he said he intends to incentivize businesses to prioritize American hires, framing his stance as a defence of local workers.
Fishback has also taken a shot at the fellow Republican Candidate Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump-endorsed contender, accusing him of siding with corporate donors who benefit from the H-1B system. Calling him out as “H-1Byron,” Fishback argued that Donalds would not challenge the status quo or advocate for American workers.
Beyond this, Fishback highlights his business background as the founder and CEO of Azoria, an investment firm that manages public and private capital and avoids diversity-driven corporate policies. Politico reports that he plans to run on an “immigration-first” and affordability-focused agenda. His proposals include requiring Florida companies to replace H-1B workers with American employees and eliminating property taxes on homestead properties. He is also reportedly bringing in strategists with experience from Governor Ron DeSantis’ political team to shape his campaign.
Backlash Brews as Critics Slam Fishback’s H-1B Crackdown
His stance has sparked the online criticism. Many are calling his proposal political posturing, noting that Florida already has strong job growth and low unemployment.
Critics said penalizing legal H-1B workers—many of whom hold high-skill jobs and pay taxes—could drive talent to other states or countries.
Some questioned whether state agencies employ enough H-1B workers for the plan to matter, since the visa is mostly used in the private sector.
Others were quick to point how unrealistic and harmful Fishback’s approach is, because companies hire foreign professionals because local workers with the right skills are scarce.
Now whether his bold gambit will ignite change or fizzle into dust and how does the winds shift in the Sunshine State, is something that we will have to wait to see. Until then…
Summary
James Fishback, 30, a former Doge architect and hedge fund founder, has entered Florida’s 2026 governor’s race with a hardline anti-H-1B agenda. He vows to fire H-1B state workers, cancel contracts with companies that hire them, and prioritize American hires. Critics call his plan unrealistic and harmful, warning it could drive talent away. The outcome remains uncertain.
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