A top aide to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been communicating with Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, a controversial figure who has denied any interactions with the governor’s political orbit.

The aide, Christina Pushaw, has spoken to Fishback, his top adviser and Fishback’s uncle — South Florida investor and real estate mogul Fred Fishback — about Fishback’s gubernatorial campaign, according to a person familiar with the relationship and Fishback’s uncle.

Last month, Fishback jumped into the 2026 Republican primary to succeed DeSantis — who is term-limited and cannot run again — as a pro-DeSantis candidate who backs the outgoing governor’s agenda. The front-runner is currently Rep. Byron Donalds, who has Trump’s endorsement but is at odds with DeSantis. It’s widely b

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