A long-shot Republican candidate for Florida governor is drawing attention for an unconventional campaign tactic, saying he joined the dating app Tinder in an effort to connect with young female voters ahead of the GOP primary.
James Fishback, a 31-year-old investor and hedge fund manager running to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, announced Monday on X that he created a Tinder profile as a form of political outreach. Fishback said his goal was to “meet young female voters where they are” and share his vision for making it easier for them to get married, buy homes, and raise families in Florida.
Fishback posted a screenshot of his Tinder profile, which included a political message rather than a traditional dating pitch. On the profile, he described his “hottest take” as the belief that Florida “should offer paid maternity leave to all moms,” framing the idea as part of a broader pro-family agenda.
The experiment appeared to gain quick traction, at least in Fishback’s telling. About 30 minutes after his initial post, he returned to X to say he had already “run out of likes” on the app. He then asked supporters to donate so he could subscribe to Tinder Plus, a paid version that allows unlimited likes and lets users see who has already liked their profile.
Fishback’s announcement comes as he faces an uphill battle in a crowded Republican primary. A survey conducted by Patriot Polling between Jan. 19 and Jan. 29 found that more than 22 percent of likely GOP primary voters said they were more likely to support Fishback. By contrast, more than 37 percent said they were more likely to back Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who is widely viewed as the front-runner in the race and received President Donald Trump’s endorsement last year.
The campaign has not been without controversy. Fishback has repeatedly attacked Donalds, including directing racially charged remarks at the congressman. In one post last month on X, Fishback referred to Donalds as “By’rone” and claimed the lawmaker wanted to “turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto,” comments that drew criticism and intensified scrutiny of Fishback’s candidacy.
Additional questions have followed Fishback since NBC News reported in December that the Broward County School District cut ties with him in 2022. According to the report, the split followed allegations that Fishback had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student when he was 27. NBC News also reported that the woman later sought a court order of protection against Fishback, though a judge ultimately ruled against her request.
Fishback has denied any wrongdoing related to the allegations. He told NBC News that the claims were “completely false,” and he has continued to campaign despite the negative attention.
Still, his decision to use a dating app as a political outreach tool underscores how unconventional and combative the Florida GOP primary has become. As Fishback attempts to carve out a lane against a Trump-backed front-runner, his Tinder gambit highlights both the creativity and controversy surrounding his bid, raising questions about whether headline-grabbing tactics can translate into real support at the ballot box.
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