James Fishback secured a clear third-place finish in the August 18, 2026, Florida Republican primary for governor, backed by roughly 10.5 percent of the vote according to nearly complete tallies. Byron Donalds led with about 47.9 percent after receiving President Trump's endorsement and strong establishment support, while Jay Collins placed second near 25 percent. Fishback's position reflects his limited fundraising and name recognition relative to the top two contenders, despite his focus on issues such as data-center regulation, property taxes, and affordability. Late vote certification or an extremely narrow margin shift between Fishback and fourth-place finisher Paul Renner could theoretically alter the order, though current reporting shows no realistic path for such changes.