James Fishback, a Republican candidate in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial primary, said he would close every remaining abortion clinic in the state and replace them with crisis pregnancy centers if he is elected governor.
Fishback, a 30-year-old investment executive, positioned the move as an extension of existing state protections for the unborn. Florida currently operates under a six-week abortion ban signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, with exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, and medical emergencies.
In a June 9 statement to FOX News Digital, Fishback said, “Ron DeSantis is the most pro-life Governor in America, and I intend to build on his incredible work. As Governor, I will shut down the 53 abortion clinics that remain in Florida and replace every single one with a crisis pregnancy center.”
Fishback, a Catholic, said the pregnancy centers would offer mothers and their babies free ultrasounds, baby food, diapers, and prenatal and postpartum care.
“Abortion is never the answer,” he told FOX News Digital. “Every expecting mom in Florida deserves real support, and as Governor, I will make sure she gets it.”
Fishback is one of several Republicans vying for the nomination to succeed term-limited DeSantis ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. The GOP field also includes Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state Rep. Paul Renner, and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., whom President Donald Trump has endorsed.
Fishback has made similar pro-life statements on X, writing in a June 5 post that “100% of abortions are murder. And as Governor, I’ll treat them as such.”
In a June 4 post, he again called abortion murder and said that he would “prosecute it as such.”
It’s murder. And I’ll prosecute it as such. No more games. Abolish abortion. https://t.co/2tABXIUN03
— James Fishback (@j_fishback) June 4, 2026
“No more games,” Fishback added. “Abolish abortion.”
Fishback has also campaigned on promises to build on DeSantis’ record in other ways. He seeks to eliminate homestead property taxes for Florida residents and restrict corporate, private equity, and foreign ownership of single-family homes. He also plans to offer $10,000 in down-payment assistance to young married couples and top high school graduates; raise public school teacher salaries by 25% and require school uniforms; halt the H-1B visa program for state contractors and prioritize hiring Floridians; and eliminate toll roads for state residents.