DeSantis Aide Linked to Controversial Florida Gubernatorial Candidate James Fishback
A top aide to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been in interaction with Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, raising questions about the governor’s preferred successor and the future direction of the state’s GOP.
A close ally of Governor DeSantis, christina Pushaw, has engaged in discussions with Fishback, his primary advisor, and Fishback’s uncle, South Florida investor and real estate mogul Fred Fishback, regarding his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. This connection is especially noteworthy given Fishback’s controversial statements and previous denials of any ties to DeSantis’ political network.
Fishback launched his bid for the 2026 Republican primary last month, positioning himself as a conservative option. Though, his campaign has drawn scrutiny due to his association with figures known for far-right and extremist views, including Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist known for his white nationalist and antisemitic views.
When questioned about any connections to Fishback’s campaign, Pushaw maintained she was not involved. “The story is simply not accurate,” she told NBC News on Thursday night. “I do not work for James Fishback and never have.” Pushaw, who earns $180,000 annually as a “senior management analyst” for the state, has been instrumental in shaping DeSantis’ public image and social media presence, particularly leading up to his 2024 presidential run.
However, a video obtained by NBC News appears to contradict Pushaw’s claims. The footage, captured at a Noble Capital Markets conference in Boca Raton on December 2nd, shows Fred Fishback discussing Pushaw’s involvement with his nephew’s campaign. “I don’t know anything about her, other than we had a nice talk,” Fred Fishback said in the video. “she seems to be a smart girl.” He further stated that Pushaw initiated contact with his nephew after being impressed by his conservative social media posts. “She liked whatever he said, and she just reached out to him,” he explained. “they sat down and started talking.”
Fred Fishback also revealed that during a phone conversation, Pushaw inquired about “financial-type questions,” though he clarified that neither pushaw nor James Fishback explicitly requested financial support. He emphasized his support for both his nephew and the state of Florida.
Pushaw told NBC News she does not know Fred Fishback. James Fishback, for his part, dismissed his uncle’s account as “dead wrong,” reiterating that Pushaw was not employed by his campaign. he did acknowledge having dinner with Pushaw in October, describing her as “brilliant.”
This situation adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding gubernatorial race. Last month, reports surfaced indicating that another DeSantis advisor, Taryn Fenske, was also communicating with Fishback.It remains unclear whether DeSantis is aware of the extent of these interactions. His office has not responded to requests for comment.
A source familiar with the conversations revealed that Fishback aide Alex Mungia stated the campaign had direct communication with Pushaw and enjoyed the “full support of DeSantis’ team.” When pressed on the source of this support, Mungia reportedly responded, “Who told you?” He then confirmed pushaw’s involvement. Mungia later praised Fishback as a potential “incredible governor.”
Adding to the internal GOP turmoil, James Fishback recently alleged that Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins attempted to persuade him to withdraw from the race and endorse Collins, with the lobbying allegedly occurring through Fishback’s uncle. Pushaw afterward retweeted Fishback’s post. Collins’ office dismissed the allegations as “false and fabricated stories.”
During the boca Raton conference, Fred Fishback expressed concern about his nephew’s campaign trajectory, stating, “I can see the crash. I can see the crash and burn, and he does not see it.”
The unfolding situation underscores the intense maneuvering within the Florida Republican party as it prepares for a post-DeSantis era, and raises questions about the governor’s influence and the future of his political legacy.
