“$0 From AIPAC” - Florida Gubernatorial Candidate CALLS OUT Foreign Influence

Key Concepts

• Campaign Finance: Fundraising strategies, donor demographics, and limitations on accepting funds from foreign entities.
• Grassroots Campaigning: Emphasis on in-person events and direct voter engagement.
• Political Strategy: Outworking opponents versus outspending them, navigating potential “gotcha” moments in media coverage.
• Economic Policy Proposals: Homestead tax exemptions, incentives for young homebuyers, and attracting residents to Florida.
• Foreign Influence in Politics: Concerns regarding funding from groups aligned with foreign governments (specifically APAC and Qatar).

Campaign Finance & Fundraising Strategies

The conversation centers heavily on campaign fundraising in the Florida gubernatorial race. Byron Donalds has raised $45 million in 2025, with $13 million coming in Q4, supported by 8,000 donors. Fishbach’s campaign, in contrast, has raised approximately $4 million over seven weeks, without actively soliciting donations – relying instead on campaign events. Initially, a reported figure of $950 for Fishbach’s fundraising was corrected to $943, then updated to $4 million. Fishbach emphasizes a strategy of small-dollar donors and individuals aligned with his vision, rather than large contributions. He explicitly states he will refund any donation received from groups associated with foreign governments.

Foreign Funding & Ethical Boundaries

A core tenet of Fishbach’s campaign is a firm stance against accepting funds from foreign entities. He specifically names APAC (American Political Action Committee) and its counterparts in India and Qatar as organizations he would refuse funding from, stating, “I don't believe you can say you're going to put America first and put Florida first if you're taking money from a group whose literal job is to put a foreign country first.” He extends this refusal to any group pursuing the interests of a foreign government. The discussion acknowledges the potential for “dirty tricks” – individuals associated with lobbying organizations making small donations to create negative media narratives (“gotcha” moments). Fishbach affirms his commitment to refunding such donations.

Campaign Strategy: Grassroots vs. Financial Power

Fishbach acknowledges he will likely be outspent by Byron Donalds but intends to “outwork” his opponent. He highlights his extensive in-person event schedule – 22 events in seven weeks – compared to Donalds’ three. He commits to visiting all 67 counties in Florida before Easter Sunday, emphasizing direct engagement with voters. This strategy mirrors Donald Trump’s success in 2016 and 2020, and Ronda Santis’s win despite being down in polls the previous year. He cites Zoron Mdani’s low polling numbers last year (less than 1% on Kalshi) as evidence that current standing isn’t necessarily indicative of future success. The phrase “It’s not about where the puck is, it’s about where the puck is going” is used to illustrate this point.

Economic Policy Proposals for Florida

The conversation shifts to potential economic policies for Florida. Fishbach proposes two key incentives:

1. Homestead Tax Exemption: A cap of $5 million on homestead taxes for residents who have lived in Florida for at least five years. For example, a homeowner with a $50 million property would only pay taxes on $45 million of the assessed value, resulting in a $50,000 tax instead of $500,000 (assuming a 1% tax rate).
2. Young Homebuyer Incentive: Eliminating property taxes for individuals under 35 earning less than $200,000 who purchase a home and establish a family. This is intended to incentivize younger generations to move to and invest in Florida.

Media & Political Attacks

The discussion acknowledges the potential for negative media coverage and “gotcha” attacks, particularly regarding campaign donations. The example of a lobbyist donating $1,400 and being subsequently highlighted by the media is used to illustrate this risk. Fishbach reiterates his commitment to refunding any questionable donations.

Positive Assessment of DeSantis & Florida

The speakers express a generally positive view of Governor Ronda Santis, acknowledging his success in leading Florida, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. They state that DeSantis’s performance created a sense of safety and stability for families.

Tuscano Advertisement & Conclusion

The conversation concludes with a brief advertisement for Tuscano shoes, emphasizing Italian craftsmanship, quality materials, and a deliberate, non-rushed production process.

fishback2026.com is provided as the campaign website.

Notable Quotes

• Fishbach: “I don't believe you can say you're going to put America first and put Florida first if you're taking money from a group whose literal job is to put a foreign country first.”
• Fishbach: “It’s not about where the puck is, it’s about where the puck is going.”
• Speaker: “Donald Trump was outspent by Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump was outspent by Kamala Harris in 2018. Ronda Santis was not supposed to win.”

Technical Terms

• APAC: American Political Action Committee – organizations that raise and spend money to elect and defeat candidates.
• Kalshi: A platform for political event contracts, used for prediction markets.
• Homestead Exemption: A tax reduction for homeowners who occupy a property as their primary residence.
• Lobbyist: A person who attempts to influence decisions made by officials in a government.
• Q4: Fourth Quarter (of a year) – often used in financial reporting.

This conversation highlights a campaign focused on grassroots engagement, ethical fundraising, and targeted economic policies designed to attract and retain residents in Florida. The candidate positions himself as an outsider willing to challenge the status quo and prioritize American interests over foreign influence.