Key Takeaways
- Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback pledges to fire all H-1B workers from state agencies.
- He promises to cancel state contracts with companies employing H-1B visa holders.
- Fishback’s campaign centers on replacing legal immigrant workers with Americans.
James Fishback, a former Doge architect and political newcomer, has entered the 2026 Florida governor’s race with a controversial pledge to remove H-1B visa holders from state employment. The candidate accuses American companies of running an “H-1B scam” by preferring Indian and Chinese workers over qualified Floridians.
Direct Threat to H-1B Workers
“I’ll fire every H-1B working at a state agency and cancel state contracts with companies that employ H-1Bs instead of qualified Floridians,” Fishback declared on X. He added, “I will incentivise companies to hire Americans again.”
The candidate also targeted Trump-endorsed Republican Byron Donalds, accusing him of “shilling for his H-1B corporate donors.”
Broader Policy Agenda
Beyond immigration, Fishback’s platform includes blocking companies like Blackstone from buying Florida homes, canceling large AI data centers, and abolishing property taxes. He aims to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next Republican governor.
‘Great Replacement’ Theory
Fishback’s campaign embraces the controversial “great replacement” concept, arguing legal immigration programs steal jobs from Americans. “You can’t make America great again with Chinese. You can’t make America great again with Indians. You can’t make America great again with Haitians. You have to make America great again with Americans,” he told Meteor Magazine.
He claims the personal nature of his stance stems from his father losing his landscaping business after Haitian migrants arrived following the 2010 earthquake.
Fishback specifically criticized programs like OPT and the influx of Chinese students, arguing they “take spots and slots, jobs away from American citizens.” He vowed to force companies to choose between state contracts and H-1B employees.
Who Is James Fishback?
The 30-year-old investor is co-founder and CEO of Azoria Partners and runs nonprofit Incubate Debate. He gained attention in June 2025 when he left DOGE after Elon Musk criticized Donald Trump. In December, he visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago to launch the Azoria Meritocracy ETF, targeting S&P 500 companies that avoid DEI practices.
