James Fishback to Speak in Lakeland Nov. 16
James Fishback, who finished third in this year’s Republican primary for Florida governor, will speak in Lakeland on Monday, Nov. 16, at an event hosted by the Polk County Young Republicans. The 6 p.m. event is free and open to the public, and will be held at Cleveland Heights Golf Course.
After Fishback’s speech, he will be available for photos with guests. In a post announcing the event, Fishback said he will reflect on the lessons Florida Republicans should learn from the midterms. He also said he plans to run for president and told News 6 by text that an official announcement is forthcoming.
Fishback, an investment firm CEO, entered the governor’s race in November 2025 on a platform of ending H-1B visas, blocking AI data centers and abolishing property taxes. He received about 10% of the vote in the Aug. 18 primary, behind Rep. Byron Donalds with around 48% and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins at 25%.
Donalds went on to defeat Democrat David Jolly the following night by less than 2 percent. Donalds will serve as the successor to Governor Ron DeSantis with Lieutenant Governor-elect Bryan Avila. Both Donalds and Jolly made an election eve stop in Polk County on November 2.
In a recent post on X, Fishback listed three goals for Republicans: staying out of the Middle East, fighting for the middle class ,and defending the Constitution. He also wrote, “No more worshipping Trump or Israel.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the James Fishback event in Lakeland?
Fishback is scheduled to speak Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Heights Golf Course, 2900 Buckingham Ave., Lakeland, according to the event flyer. The Polk County Young Republicans are hosting.
Is the James Fishback event free and open to the public?
Yes. The flyer and Fishback’s post both say the event is free and open to the public, and the flyer says photos with Fishback follow the speech.
Who is James Fishback?
Fishback is an investment firm CEO who ran in the 2026 Republican primary for Florida governor and finished third with about 10% of the vote.
What will James Fishback talk about in Lakeland?
Fishback said in his post that he will reflect on the lessons Florida Republicans should learn from the midterms.
Is James Fishback running for president?
Fishback has said he plans to run for president. He told News 6 by text that an official announcement is forthcoming.
Sources: “Fishback Polk County Event Flyer and Caption,” James Fishback, instagram.com, Nov. 9, 2026; “James Fishback Post on Republicans and the Midterms,” James Fishback, x.com, undated; “Donalds, Jolly Win Governor Primaries, Will Face Off in General Election,” News Service of Florida, wuwf.org, Aug. 18, 2026; “Donalds Defeats Jolly, Becoming Florida’s First Black Governor,” Florida Phoenix, floridaphoenix.com, Nov. 3, 2026; “GOP Investor James Fishback Is Entering the Florida Governor’s Race, Challenging Trump’s Pick,” Associated Press, wusf.org, Nov. 24, 2025; “Ex-Florida Governor Candidate Announces He’s Running for President,” News 6, clickorlando.com, Oct. 29, 2026
