Republican Contender for Florida Governor Allegedly Targeted by Arson Attack

The race to replace GOP stalwart and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is heating up — literally in one case.

DeSantis, who will be termed out come 2027, has seen plenty of potential replacements make their intent known, including front-running Rep. Byron Donalds, who is supported by President Donald Trump.

One of those challengers, GOP contender James Fishback, has also recently made it known that an apparent arson attack targeted his home.

Fishback’s campaign manager, Emma Wright, announced the allegation on X.

Official Statement on Sunday’s Arson Attack Targeting James Fishback’s Home

James Fishback, candidate for Florida Governor, returned home to Madison, FL for the first time since launching his campaign for Governor ten weeks ago. Shortly after 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, a fire was…

— Emma Wright (@emmawrightFL) February 8, 2026

Fishback is a 31-year-old businessman who has not held political office before. (“I’m not a politician,” he declares in a campaign video, where he targets Donalds repeatedly.)

According to Wright, Fishback had recently returned to his home in Madison, Florida, near the George border.

It was the first time he returned home since launching his campaign for governor 10 weeks ago.

Wright wrote that Fishback and his staff were working on Sunday evening, when a fire “was intentionally set” in his yard. The blaze then began to cut a path to Fishback’s home.

Thankfully, the fire was stopped before it actually reached the house.

“We are grateful to the Madison County Fire Rescue for their swift response and for containing the fire before it damaged his home,” Wright’s X post, which presumably doubles as a statement from the Fishback campaign, stated.

It further condemned the political climate festering in the country: “This act of arson should be unequivocally condemned. Political violence of any kind is unacceptable and has no place in America.”

However, according to WFLA-TV, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office local sheriff’s office said there was no criminal investigation opened in the fire.

Fishback himself, meanwhile, provided some photos, including the responding firefighters and the burnt ground presumably near his home.

Someone just tried to set my house on fire… pic.twitter.com/DGDQADvegd

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) February 8, 2026

Fishback responded to the incident by doing two things.

First, he made sure to thank the support he had been getting from various concerned Republicans throughout the country.

Thank you, @UFCR https://t.co/wuPStdVlgn

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) February 9, 2026

Patriots. Thank you @NYYRC https://t.co/MOWTgD7MPv

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) February 9, 2026

Second, and perhaps more notably, Fishback wanted to send a clear message to any would-be arsonists that he would not be intimidated by such antics. Fishback accomplished this by holding a rally specifically at his Madison home.

https://t.co/S6fVFoB0nz

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) February 9, 2026

The primary races to officially recognize party nominees will take place in August. The election will be in November.

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