James Fishback, the 31-year-old Republican investor and long-shot candidate for Florida governor in the 2026 primary, has drawn intense scrutiny over longstanding allegations that he began a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old participant in his nonprofit debate organization. The claims resurfaced dramatically this week in a viral public confrontation and during a fiery debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Fishback founded Incubate Debate in 2019, a program that partners with Florida school districts to offer debate training to middle and high school students. According to court filings from early 2025, Keinah Fort (sometimes spelled Keniah) alleged that she joined the organization at age 16 in 2021 and that Fishback, then 27, initiated a romantic relationship with her in spring 2022 while she was still 17. Fort claimed he directed her to keep the relationship secret—an isolation tactic she described as consistent with grooming—and that the pair later lived together and became engaged after she turned 18. She also accused him of post-breakup harassment and stalking in late 2024, leading her to file a petition for a protection order against stalking and cyberstalking in Leon County.
The petition was denied by a judge in June 2025 after two hearings. The court found insufficient evidence of stalking or substantial emotional distress, noting that while Fishback’s behavior was “perhaps a little obsessive-compulsive,” it did not meet the legal threshold for an injunction. No criminal charges were ever filed against Fishback, and Florida’s age of consent is 18. Fishback has consistently denied the allegations, insisting the relationship did not begin until Fort was 18 and calling the claims “completely false” and uncorroborated. He has pointed to the lack of arrest or conviction as evidence of his innocence and has shared what he says are positive messages from Fort during and after their relationship. The lack of arrest, however, does not absolve him from the allegations of grooming.
In 2022, after an anonymous email from the mother of another Incubate Debate participant alleged an inappropriate relationship with a minor, Broward County Public Schools and at least one other district cut ties with Fishback and his organization. Fishback has attributed the tip to personal grudges and maintained there was “not a shred of truth” to the accusations.
The issue exploded again this week when a Black voter and streamer publicly confronted Fishback at a campaign event, pressing him crudely about the allegations. In the widely circulated video, the man asked graphic questions about the alleged encounter with a minor and told Fishback to “stop smashing teenage girls.” Fishback responded heatedly, repeatedly asking “Why haven’t I been arrested?” before shouting, “You should be lynched for lying about me like that.” The remark drew swift backlash given its use toward a Black man and Fishback’s history of racially charged rhetoric.
Amid the campaign controversy, Fishback appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored earlier this week for a heated debate with Sophie Rain, a popular Florida-based OnlyFans creator who has reportedly earned over $100 million. The clash centered on Fishback’s proposal for a 50% “sin tax” on income from adult content creators like OnlyFans, which he argues would generate revenue to fund teachers and public schools while discouraging young people—especially girls—from entering the industry. Fishback framed the policy in moral terms, warning of long-term consequences such as daughters being bullied over old online images. Rain pushed back vigorously, defending adult women’s right to make their own choices and questioning the selective taxation of legal work. Piers Morgan criticized the idea as arrogant government overreach, at one point making a £10,000 charity bet with Fishback that he would not win the governorship.
Fishback’s campaign has leaned into provocative “rage-bait” tactics and populist economic messaging, positioning him as an outsider challenging frontrunner Rep. Byron Donalds. Whether the grooming allegations, the viral confrontation, or his policy proposals will help or hinder his underdog bid remains to be seen as the 2026 primary approaches. Fishback continues to deny any wrongdoing in the Fort matter and maintains his focus on affordability and Florida-first policies.
SOURCES:
GOP Candidate Tells Black Man Asking Questions He Should Be Lynched | The New Republic
Republican In Florida Governor’s Race Tells Black Voter He ‘Should Be Lynched’ In Viral Exchange
‘You should be lynched,’ Florida Republican tells a Black man
Florida Republican Running For Governor Tells Black Man He Should Be “Lynched” In Heated Exchange | IBTimes
James Fishback faces court order over $228,000 debt | Miami Herald
Sophie Rain Gets Into Headed Debate With James Fishback Over Proposed ‘Sin Tax’ In Florida
Florida school district cut ties with GOP candidate James Fishback in 2022 over sexual misconduct allegations
2026 Polls: Florida Governor – 270toWin
