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Florida's Fishback Exposes GOP's Antisemitism Surge

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A little-known Florida gubernatorial candidate is revealing troubling trends in Republican politics. James Fishback, a 31-year-old Republican primary challenger, has gained traction among young male voters by combining anti-immigrant rhetoric with increasingly antisemitic messaging and fierce opposition to U.S. support for Israel.

Fishback's rise reflects a broader shift within the MAGA movement. Once involved in anti-woke initiatives like a high school debate league and an exchange-traded fund launched at Mar-a-Lago, he has pivoted to positions aligned with Nick Fuentes, a far-right influencer known for antisemitic views. His polling shows just 5-6% support overall, but he leads among Republicans under 35.

Columnist Michelle Goldberg found that Fishback's Israel-focused rhetoric energizes crowds, with antisemitic undertones becoming normalized in political discourse. From using terms like "goyslop" to blaming Israel for America's problems, his messaging resonates with young conservatives who increasingly embrace far-right ideologies. This represents more than one candidate's views—it signals a potential future where antisemitism becomes politically mainstream.