Ted Cruz-aligned group blasts Florida's Fishback in ad targeting antisemitism
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Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback at a rally in Orlando, Florida, last month. Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Front Line, a political nonprofit group aligned with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, announced it's spending $400,000 on a digital ad buy targeting Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback for making antisemitic statements.
Why it matters: The ad buy underscores how antisemitism has become a major issue in the Republican Party. It's the first ad in a sustained campaign by the GOP-aligned group targeting right-wing antisemitism.
- The 36-second spot, which uses AI to portray Fishback as a talking bass, is scheduled to run in major markets during Saturday's World Cup match between England and Norway.
- Fishback denies he's an antisemite and said the ad proves he's a threat to the establishment.
The big picture: The Front Line's decision to make its first expenditure in Florida — and its clear support for Cruz — is a sign that the Texas senator's supporters are laying the groundwork for his expected 2028 bid for president.
- Florida, President Trump's home state and ground zero for MAGA, has a large population of Jewish voters, donors and thought leaders.
- It's also politically important in a GOP presidential primary, where Vice President Vance is seen as the early frontrunner.
Zoom in: In Florida's GOP race for governor, Fishback is badly trailing Rep. Byron Donalds in primary polls. But the controversial upstart has shown a knack for making national news, often with antisemitic and bigoted dog whistles.
- Last year, Fishback referred to junk food as "goyslop," an antisemitic internet term. He later said he was joking, and has said he condemns hatred of Jews.
State of play: The ad features actual quotes from Fishback saying, "White genocide is real," and pledging not to enforce Florida's antisemitism law if he's elected.
- In the ad, one fisherman asks another: "Do you want to throw this fish back?" after they land the talking Fishback bass.
- "We can't throw this fish back — he'll ruin the other fish," the second fisherman says.
What they're saying: Arielle F. Kelpach, The Front Line's executive director, said that Fishback "has embraced being an antisemitic troll because he thinks it's a path to success in modern American politics."
- "In our party and for the voters of this state, that's a cartoon position worthy of ridicule and electoral humiliation," Kelpach said.
- Said Fishback: "I've consistently condemned hatred against Jewish Americans. As governor, I'll fight to protect Floridians from all religious backgrounds. The ad is admittedly amusing, but it's just the latest sign that the establishment is worried we'll win on August 18th."
Our thought bubble: The ad is effective because it's absurd and visually engaging.
- Paradoxically, Fishback is likely to welcome it because it gives him attention, and an avenue to talk about an issue that has given him a platform in The New York Times and USA Today, and on Tucker Carlson's podcast.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Fishback's comment.
