Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback recently made a surprise appearance during competitor Byron Donalds’ radio appearance, questioning the links between Donalds’ wife and charter schools in the Sunshine State. Florida liberals online saw this as a positive development for the Democratic Party, as the two Republican candidates are at odds with each other just before the primary.
As reported by Florida Politics, Byron Donalds was taking calls on WJCT’s “First Coast Connect” when Fishback called in under the alias “Thomas.” Fishback asked how Donalds would “hold charter schools accountable” in cases of fraud. He used the example of Optima Classical Academy, a school founded by Erika Donalds, the politician’s wife, which did not open as initially promised, leaving investors frustrated.
Donalds responded by saying that his wife is no longer in the charter school management business and that she had previously opened five charter schools successfully. He added that the school cited by “Thomas” was unable to open because of Hurricane Ian, but that “another provider” would open the school “next week,” so investors “were not left holding the bag.”
Floridians React to Fishback Calling Donalds
Seeing a Republican candidate go to such lengths to undermine a rival’s campaign for governor of Florida sparked a positive reaction from liberal-aligned users on r/Florida.
One of them said: “I’m glad Fishback is in the race. Not because I’d ever want him near power, but because he raises substantial money to attack Byron Donalds, who we all know will inevitably be the nominee. If we’re lucky, maybe he’ll encourage his followers to sit out in November so we can get Jolly in office.”
Others added: “I hope they eat each other since neither would get my vote.” Another voter also highlighted something they believed could make Donalds, who is expected to become the Republican nominee, struggle in the general election: “I so hope that the inherent racism of Republicans screwed them at the polls in November.”
Some users were appalled by both candidates, however: “Donalds is awful, but God, is Fishback worse. The GOP has really let the toothpaste out of the tube by letting these kinds of monsters run rampant for the last 10 years.”
The Republican primary for governor of Florida is set to take place later this month, and while Donalds appears to be the frontrunner after receiving Donald Trump’s endorsement, the outcome remains uncertain. The overall sentiment in the thread, however, was to let the GOP infighting continue. As one user put it: “Let them fight.”
