Top Ron DeSantis aides are connected to James Fishback, a controversial GOP candidate for Florida governor. One of DeSantis’s chief aides, Christina Pushaw, has interacted with Fishback, his top adviser, and Fred Fishback, James’s uncle and a South Florida real estate investor, about Fishback’s campaign, according to people familiar with the relationships.
Fishback entered the 2026 Florida governor race last month as a pro-DeSantis candidate who supports the outgoing governor’s agenda. The current front-runner is Rep. Byron Donalds, who has Trump’s endorsement but is at odds with DeSantis, leading to questions about whom the governor might ultimately back.
Those close to DeSantis have rejected assertions that they are advising or assisting Fishback, despite Fishback’s active social media presence drawing criticism. He has referred to Donalds, who is Black, as a “slave” to his donors, and he has praised followers of Nick Fuentes, a far-right figure known for white nationalist and antisemitic views, as “impressive.”
Pushaw said she is not part of Fishback’s campaign. “The story is simply not accurate. I do not work for James Fishback and never have,” she told NBC News.
Pushaw has long been a visible adviser to DeSantis, helping shape his national profile and engaging with Republican voters ahead of his 2024 presidential bid. She also gained a substantial following for her assertive, sometimes contentious, social media approach.
State records show Pushaw has been a Florida employee since 2021, currently earning $180,000 as a senior management analyst after serving as DeSantis’s press secretary.
NBC News obtained video from a Noble Capital Markets conference opening night in Boca Raton, in which Fred Fishback discusses Pushaw’s involvement with his nephew’s campaign. In the footage, Fred says Pushaw told him she had contacted James after admiring his rapid-fire political posts, and that they sat down to talk after he said she liked his Twitter activity.
Fred Fishback later told NBC News he discussed Pushaw at the event. He said he spoke with her by phone while driving to pick up his son from college, describing some financial questions but denying any request for political contributions. He also said that neither Christina nor James had asked for his financial support, and that Pushaw had told him she was not being paid by James. He added that he wishes well for everyone involved, including his nephew and Florida.
Pushaw said she does not know Fred Fishback. James Fishback told NBC News that his uncle was wrong and that Pushaw did not work for him, noting he and his uncle disagree on several issues but that he respects him. He acknowledged having dinner with Pushaw before launching his campaign because he considers her brilliant.
Previously, NBC News reported that another DeSantis adviser, Taryn Fenske, had also communicated with Fishback, though Fishback said he was not in contact with Pushaw at that time. It remains unclear whether DeSantis is aware that two of his top aides have engaged with Fishback. The DeSantis office did not respond to requests for comment.
According to a separate account from a Fishback aide, Alex Mungia, the campaign has had direct talks with Pushaw in recent weeks, with the aide claiming there is full support from DeSantis’s team. When asked whether the support came from Pushaw, Mungia reportedly replied, “Who told you?” and reportedly acknowledged Pushaw’s involvement.
Mungia praised Fishback, calling him a great friend who would be an excellent governor. In a social post on Thursday night, Fishback alleged that his uncle pressured him to drop out of the race and support Lt. Gov. Jay Collins after meeting with Collins. Pushaw retweeted the post.
Collins’s camp responded by saying he is focused on his duties and not involved in the alleged fabrications. At the Boca Raton conference, Fred Fishback was asked whether he thought his nephew was being used in the race; he indicated concern about a potential “crash.”
Overall, the situation raises questions about the extent of collaboration between DeSantis’s inner circle and Fishback’s campaign, and whether DeSantis is aware of these interactions. No formal comment has been issued by DeSantis’s office.
Source: Matt Dixon, NBC News, Florida
