Key Takeaway: Video and eyewitness accounts show Christina Pushaw, a senior DeSantis aide, spoke with James Fishback and his uncle about Fishback’s 2026 gubernatorial bid, though Pushaw and Fishback deny any formal campaign role. Fred Fishback said there were "financial-type questions" in a call but no explicit request for donations. The reports raise fresh questions about whether DeSantis’ team is informally engaging with a controversial candidate.
Video Suggests Top DeSantis Aides Had Contact With Controversial GOP Candidate Despite Denials
James Fishback has roiled the Florida governor's race since jumping in a few weeks ago, frequently attacking the frontrunner, Rep. Byron Donalds. (Douglas R. Clifford / Zuma via Shutterstock file)
A video and multiple sources indicate that Christina Pushaw, a senior adviser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, communicated with Republican gubernatorial hopeful James Fishback and with Fishback’s uncle, investor Fred Fishback, about the candidate’s 2026 campaign — despite public denials that she works for the campaign.
What the Video Shows
NBC News reviewed footage from a Dec. 2 opening-night event at a Noble Capital Markets conference in Boca Raton in which Fred Fishback is asked about Pushaw’s involvement. In the clip, he says he spoke with Pushaw, describes her as "a smart girl," and recounts that Pushaw admired James Fishback’s fast-paced conservative social media posts and reached out to him.
Statements From Those Involved
Christina Pushaw told NBC News she "does not work for James Fishback and never have." Pushaw, a high-profile aide who built parts of DeSantis’s social media profile, currently holds a Florida state role listed as "senior management analyst" with a $180,000 salary.
Gov. Ron DeSantis so far has yet to make an endorsement in the governor's race to succeed him in 2026. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Fred Fishback confirmed to NBC News that he discussed Pushaw at the event and said he spoke with her briefly by phone. He described some "financial-type questions" during their call but denied that either Pushaw or James explicitly requested campaign donations.
James Fishback told NBC News his uncle was "dead wrong" about the extent of Pushaw’s involvement and reiterated that Pushaw does not work for his campaign. Fishback did acknowledge having dinner with Pushaw in October and called her "brilliant."
Additional Contacts And Campaign Remarks
Earlier reporting also identified another DeSantis adviser, Taryn Fenske, as communicating with Fishback. A Fishback aide, Alex Mungia, is reported to have told attendees at a recent dinner that the campaign had been in contact with Pushaw "in some capacity," and that the campaign believed it had support from DeSantis’ team.
Rep. Byron Donalds has Trump's endorsement in the Florida governor's race. (Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)
Fishback has drawn controversy for incendiary social media posts, including calling Rep. Byron Donalds a "slave" to donors and praising followers of far-right activist Nick Fuentes. Donalds is the current front-runner in the GOP primary with former President Trump’s endorsement; Fishback has framed himself as a pro-DeSantis alternative.
Responses And Implications
DeSantis’ office did not provide a comment for this story. Questions remain about whether the governor is aware of these contacts and whether any informal conversations cross ethical or political boundaries for state employees. The episode has heightened scrutiny over the relationship between DeSantis’ political operation and outside candidates.
"To be clear, neither Christina nor James have explicitly asked for my financial support for his campaign," Fred Fishback said, according to his statement to NBC News.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
