Byron Donalds eviscerates race-baiting rival who dubbed him a 'slave' in Florida's nastiest primary

By SAMANTHA LOREN, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 01:20, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 01:24, 19 August 2026 Congressman Byron Donalds routed James Fishback in Florida's Republican primary for governor, capping a vitriolic campaign marked by personal insults and explosive theatrics. Fishback, a businessman, political activist and first-time candidate, never appeared to have much of a chance.  And on Tuesday he couldn't even muster the runner-up prize, as Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins finished far ahead of him.  Donalds now faces off against David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties and is now running as a Democrat. Fishback chose to orchestrate a largely online campaign fueled by internet attention.  Fishback made Donalds his central target from the moment he entered the race, attacking the congressman as a pawn of the Republican establishment and questioning whether he was conservative enough for Florida. He also played dirty, calling Donalds a 'slave' and attacking his relationship with corporate interests. He even referred to his opponent as 'By'rone,' while accusing him of wanting to turn Florida into a 'Section 8 ghetto.' If successful in November's general election, Donalds would become Florida's first black governor.   Donalds was backed by a long list of prominent Republicans, President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., House Speaker Mike Johnson, the late Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk James Fishback called Byron Donalds a 'slave' to donors and referred to him as 'By'rone,' while accusing him of wanting to turn Florida into a 'Section 8 ghetto  By the summer, Byron's campaign said the operation had surpassed $90 million, and later reports put the combined total above $100 million heading into primary day Your browser does not support iframes. Donalds brushed off Fishback's inflammatory attacks as political theatre while dismissing him as a 'con man' and a two-faced candidate who plays to the algorithm with shock value and personal attacks. He's branded Fishback's antics as 'performative slop' and pointed to what he says is a stark contrast between Fishback's aggressive online persona and his behavior behind closed doors when the two previously shared a stage. But Fishback kept escalating his attacks. He challenged Donalds over his support from outside groups and repeatedly accused him of being insufficiently independent. He also attacked Donalds over his support from pro-Israel political organizations, at one point referring to him as 'AIPAC Shakur.' Then Fishback took the fight offline. In February, he attempted to confront Donalds at an event at Florida Gulf Coast University where Donalds was speaking. Security prevented Fishback from entering, and the incident became one of the defining spectacles of the primary. Fishback subsequently accused Donalds of trying to have him arrested and portrayed the confrontation as proof that Donalds was unwilling to face him directly. The feud erupted again months later at a Republican gathering in Collier County, where Fishback's campaign workers clashed with local party officials after Fishback was reportedly blocked from entering a speech. The confrontation produced shouting and physical altercations, adding another chaotic chapter to a primary already overflowing with drama. Fishback continued demanding that Donalds debate him. Donalds, meanwhile, largely declined to play along. The frontrunner skipped several events that his opponents used to attack him, while his campaign argued that Donalds had already demonstrated overwhelming support among Republican voters through his polling, fundraising and endorsement from President Donald Trump. Rather than allow the primary to become a personality contest with Fishback, he kept returning to his own agenda — affordability, property insurance, healthcare, immigration, taxes, education and public safety — while emphasizing Trump's endorsement. Donalds entered the primary with a political operation that was difficult for any rival to match. President Donald Trump had given him his complete and total endorsement in February 2025, calling him a 'TRULY GREAT and POWERFUL Governor for Florida.'  Trump was joined by a long list of prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., the late Charlie Kirk, Elon Musk, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Ted Cruz.  Governor Ron DeSantis was noticeably absent from endorsing Donalds, a result of his resentment over Donalds' snub during his own 2024 presidential race. The financial gap between the candidates was just as striking. Donalds and his affiliated political operation entered 2026 having already raised roughly $45 million, and the fundraising only accelerated as the primary approached. By the summer, his campaign said the operation had surpassed $90 million, and later reports put the combined total above $100 million heading into primary day. That money allowed Donalds to blanket Florida, spending a whopping $3.7 million in advertising and building a massive statewide organization while Fishback struggled to break through. Donalds' campaign spent heavily on television and digital advertising in the final stretch and touted an extensive field operation designed to turn his polling advantage into votes.