{"id":2636551,"date":"2026-07-28T09:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-fishback-allowed-to-stay-on-florida-ballot-after-court-ruling\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T09:34:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:34:57","slug":"james-fishback-allowed-to-stay-on-florida-ballot-after-court-ruling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-fishback-allowed-to-stay-on-florida-ballot-after-court-ruling\/","title":{"rendered":"James Fishback allowed to stay on Florida ballot after court ruling"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fjames-fishback-allowed-to-stay-on-florida-ballot-after-court-ruling%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=2636551&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>Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback can stay on the primary ballot after a judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging his eligibility. The lawsuit was filed by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who argued Fishback failed to meet florida\u2019s seven-year residency requirement. The court, led by Judge David Frank, found that Collins lacked sufficient evidence to prove fishback&#8217;s non-residency, particularly citing Fishback\u2019s ties to Washington, D.C., where he voted in 2020 and owned property. Collins may appeal the decision before the August 18 primary, but has not indicated plans to do so. Fishback celebrated his victory, criticizing what he called political interference, and is confident about his chances in the upcoming election against Collins and Byron Donalds. Candidates\u2019 polling shows donalds leading, with Fishback in second, despite his recent legal victory. Fishback will hold a press conference to discuss the case after the ruling.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"159\">Florida<\/a> gubernatorial candidate James Fishback can stay on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2655\">primary<\/a> ballot after a state judge dismissed his opponent\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lawsuits\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1641\">lawsuit<\/a> challenging Fishback\u2019s eligibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monday\u2019s ruling marked a loss for Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (R-FL), who brought the lawsuit against Fishback and Florida Secretary of State Cory Byrd. The latter defendant oversees elections in the state.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4665479\/james-fishback-stay-florida-ballot-judge-dismiss-lawsuit\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>James Fishback allowed to stay on Florida ballot after judge dismisses opponent\u2019s lawsuit<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4664580\/kristi-noem-sits-out-south-dakota-governor-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Once-dominant Kristi Noem sits out South Dakota GOP governor showdown<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4662343\/new-jersey-illegal-immigrant-voter-registration-scandal-fuels-accusations\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New Jersey\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jerseys-illegal-immigrant-voter-registration-scandal-fuels-accusations-of-conspiracy-and-cover-up\/\" title=\"New Jersey&#039;s illegal immigrant voter registration scandal fuels accusations of conspiracy and cover-up\">illegal immigrant voter registration scandal fuels accusations<\/a> of conspiracy and cover-up<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Circuit Judge David Frank determined Collins failed to bring \u201cenough substantial and competent evidence to rebut\u201d Florida\u2019s presumption in favor of qualification and presumption of continued residency. The plaintiff alleged Fishback failed to meet the state\u2019s seven-year residency requirement in his bid to run for governor.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The issue stemmed from Fishback\u2019s ties to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"260\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, where he voted in the 2020 presidential election and bought a condominium a year later. He received a homestead deduction for that property.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judge Frank said Collins had the burden to prove Fishback\u2019s non-residency in Florida, a burden that the lieutenant governor did not meet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis Court will not be deciding the race between the Lieutenant Governor and Mr. Fishback. That will be in the very sound hands of the voters,\u201d Frank concluded.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collins may appeal the decision, but he has three weeks until the Aug. 18 Republican primary to do so. There was no indication from his lawyer that he would file an appeal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing the court accepted Fishback\u2019s novel legal theory that \u2018ignorance of the law\u2019 is now a defense when it comes to Florida residency,\u201d Collins\u2019s counsel Mark Meuser said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHis ignorance may be enough to keep him on the ballot, but who wants to vote for a candidate whose own sworn testimony is he committed mortgage fraud and doesn\u2019t understand how the law works when it comes to election integrity and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-puts-the-screws-to-biden-over-cuba-step-up-and-be-on-the-side-of-freedom\/\" title=\"DeSantis Puts The Screws To Biden Over Cuba: \u2018Step Up And Be On The Side Of Freedom\u2019\">paying state income taxes<\/a>,\u201d Meuser continued. \u201cMr. Fishback may have been able to convince the court to leave him on the ballot, but in doing so, he demonstrated he does not have the mental capacity to govern himself, let alone Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Fishback celebrated his court victory as he prepares to face off against Collins and Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-donalds\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"6250\">Byron Donalds<\/a> (R-FL) in the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s official. The disgraceful lawfare brought by Jay Collins and fueled by Byron Donalds has failed,\u201d Fishback said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just a victory for our campaign. It\u2019s a victory for the Constitution and for every Floridian who believes elections should be decided by voters, not politicians trying to rig the system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJay Collins and Byron Donalds tried to stop our campaign because they know they can\u2019t beat us,\u201d he added. \u201cToday, they lost in court, and in 22 days they\u2019ll lose at the ballot box.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last week, Donalds said he did not watch the court hearing and decided to refrain from commenting on the legal case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s up to them. That\u2019s up to the judge, I guess, to decide,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m leaving a sideshow as a sideshow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With endorsements from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and other Republicans, Donalds has the best chance at securing the GOP nomination for the general election to replace Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-desantis\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"575\">Ron DeSantis<\/a> (R-FL). Notably, DeSantis has not endorsed any candidate in the race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/fiftyplusone.news\/polls\/governor\/republican-primary\/florida\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/fiftyplusone.news\/polls\/governor\/republican-primary\/florida\">FiftyPlusOne polling average<\/a> shows Donalds leading Fishback by roughly 30 percentage points while Collins sits in third place. Fishback prides himself on polling in second place, even though he is still far behind the frontrunner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665412\/dccc-candidates-2026-red-to-blue-midterms\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665412\/dccc-candidates-2026-red-to-blue-midterms\/\">DCCC ADDS FIVE CANDIDATES TO 2026 \u2018RED TO BLUE\u2019 MIDTERM ROSTER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn August 18th, we\u2019re going to pull off a historic upset,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the court ruling allowing him to remain on the ballot, Fishback will be holding a press conference in Tallahassee at 12 p.m. Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fishback stays on Florida ballot after lawsuit dismissed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2636552,"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\/07\/AP26012721097349-1.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[83321,35509,33739,43492,83320],"class_list":["post-2636551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballot-ruling","tag-court-decision","tag-election-law","tag-florida-politics","tag-james-fishback"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26012721097349-1.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636551","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=2636551"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636555,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636551\/revisions\/2636555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}