{"id":2563604,"date":"2026-02-03T12:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T17:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byron-donaldss-challenger-starts-tinder-campaign-push-to-reach-women-2\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T12:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T17:06:46","slug":"byron-donaldss-challenger-starts-tinder-campaign-push-to-reach-women-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byron-donaldss-challenger-starts-tinder-campaign-push-to-reach-women-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Byron Donalds&#8217;s challenger starts Tinder campaign push to reach women"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbyron-donaldss-challenger-starts-tinder-campaign-push-to-reach-women-2%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2563604&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>James Fishback, a relatively unkown Florida gubernatorial candidate challenging Rep.Byron Donalds in the 2026 GOP primary, rolled out an unconventional campaign strategy by joining Tinder to reach young women. He announced on X that he joined the dating app to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byron-donaldss-challenger-starts-tinder-campaign-push-to-reach-women\/\" title=\"...&#039;s challenger starts ... to reach women\">meet young female voters<\/a> and share his plan to help them marry, buy a home, and raise a family, even asking donors to fund unlimited likes on Tinder Plus. He also posted a mocked image suggesting Donalds was connected with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Tinder. Fishback\u2019s approach aims to engage a demographic that he argues is underrepresented in politics, while Donalds remains the better-known candidate with a Trump endorsement; the field also includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.<\/p>\n<p>The article notes other campaign developments and controversies. Fishback previously proposed a 50% \u201csin tax\u201d on OnlyFans creators to fund education programs, drawing backlash from creators. The Washington Examiner also reports that Fishback\u2019s Tinder strategy has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/vietnamese-communists-use-climate-summit-to-eat-gold-steak-with-salt-bae\/\" title=\"Vietnamese Communists Use Climate Summit to Eat Gold Steak with &#039;Salt Bae&#039;\">drawn media attention<\/a>, and mentions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/deplorable-and-predatory-behavior-the-lincoln-project-condemns-cofounder-after-nyt-reports-he-allegedly-sexually-harassed-14-year-old-boy\/\" title=\"\u2018Deplorable And Predatory Behavior\u2019: The Lincoln Project Condemns Cofounder After NYT Reports He Allegedly Sexually Harassed 14...Year...Old Boy\">sexual misconduct allegations<\/a> reported by NBC News, alleging he dated a minor in 2022; Fishback denies wrongdoing and says he was exonerated, with no charges filed, though a Florida school district cut ties with him over the relationship.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Byron Donalds&rsquo;s challenger rolls out Tinder campaign push to talk to young women<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2486897\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, who is challenging Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-donalds\/\">Byron Donalds<\/a> (R-FL) in the 2026 GOP primary, rolled out an unusual <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/campaign\/\">campaign<\/a> strategy by downloading a dating app to reach young women.<\/p>\n<p>Fishback announced on Monday that he joined Tinder.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4443301\/divisions-and-legal-threats-handicap-redistricting-bid-by-maryland-democrats\/\">Divisions and legal threats handicap redistricting bid by Maryland Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4443635\/helping-east-palestine-signature-promise-trump-recovery-years\/\">Helping East Palestine was a signature promise for Trump. Recovery will take years<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4443414\/colin-allred-jasmine-crockett-james-talarico-mediocre-black-man\/\">Colin Allred endorses Jasmine Crockett, says James Talarico called him &#8216;mediocre black man&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve joined [Tinder] to meet young female voters where they are, and share my plan to make it easier for them to get married, buy a home, and raise a family,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/j_fishback\/status\/2018446062168805710\">posted <\/a>on X, later <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/j_fishback\/status\/2018453611353899288\">asking voters<\/a> to donate money to his campaign so he can access the unlimited likes feature on Tinder Plus.<\/p>\n<p>The unmarried candidate&rsquo;s dating profile says, &ldquo;My hottest take is &hellip; Florida should offer paid maternity leave to all moms.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Fishback and Donalds are among the Republican candidates vying for the party&rsquo;s nomination this year to succeed term-limited Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-desantis\/\">Ron DeSantis<\/a> (R-FL). The GOP primary field also includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Donalds is considered the most well-known candidate in the race, given his national profile and endorsement by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>. Meanwhile, Fishback is a relatively unknown political newcomer who owns an investment management firm.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/j_fishback\/status\/2018659734682051048\">subsequent post<\/a> on Tuesday morning, Fishback photoshopped a mock image showing Donalds matching with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Tinder. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aipac\/\">AIPAC<\/a> has supported Donalds through campaign contributions, leading to his three-term tenure in the House.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> contacted the Donalds campaign for comment in response to his primary opponent&rsquo;s Tinder campaign strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Fishback drew uproar on social media last month when he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CollinRugg\/status\/2010832831917019340\">proposed<\/a> a 50% &ldquo;sin tax&rdquo; on OnlyFans creators to deter women from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >creating sexually explicit content<\/a> on the &ldquo;online degeneracy&rdquo; platform. He said revenue generated from the state tax would be used to fund teacher pay and school lunches, among other things.<\/p>\n<p>OnlyFans content creator Sophie Rain <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/sophie-rain-responds-florida-onlyfans-sin-tax-exclusive-11884529\">publicly criticized<\/a> Fishback&rsquo;s proposal, calling it the &ldquo;dumbest thing I&rsquo;ve ever heard.&rdquo; Fishback <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/j_fishback\/status\/2011110100677636452\">directly responded<\/a> to her, saying he would not &ldquo;let smart and capable young women like [Rain] be exploited by OnlyFans and its rapacious owners.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4443938\/trump-200-million-kennedy-center-building-maintenance-wont-include-ripping-it-down\/\">TRUMP SAYS $200 MILLION KENNEDY CENTER &lsquo;MAINTENANCE&rsquo; WON&rsquo;T MEAN &lsquo;RIPPING IT DOWN&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Notably, sexual misconduct allegations have faced Fishback in the past. In court documents <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-election\/florida-school-gop-james-fishback-sexual-misconduct-allegations-rcna249963\">reported by NBC News<\/a> late last year, Keinah Fort alleged that she began dating the investor in 2022, when she was still a minor in high school and working for his group, Incubate Debate. Fishback and Fort are about 10 years apart in age. The two were briefly engaged in 2024 before they separated.<\/p>\n<p>Fishback has denied wrongdoing on his part, saying he was &ldquo;fully exonerated&rdquo; in court hearings. Criminal charges were never brought, but a Florida school district cut ties with him and his debate organization due to his relationship with the minor at the time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fishback uses Tinder to reach young female voters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2563605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26021583325871.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[32322,71930,43492,72746,43021],"class_list":["post-2563604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-byron-donalds","tag-campaign-outreach","tag-florida-politics","tag-tinder-campaign","tag-women-voters"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26021583325871.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2563604"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2563608,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563604\/revisions\/2563608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2563605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2563604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2563604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2563604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}