Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback said he would mandate a statewide public school uniform policy if elected, laying out specific clothing requirements for students and linking the proposal to what he described as order and discipline in schools.
“As Florida Governor, I will mandate that all public school students come to school wearing a uniform,” Fishback wrote on social media. “For boys, a white polo, khakis, and a belt. For girls, knee-length dresses or pant suits,” he said, adding that “strong schools are only possible with order and discipline,” according to a post on his account.
In a video accompanying the post, Fishback said students must “come to school dressed for success.” He said boys would be required to wear white polos, slacks and belts, while girls would wear dresses below the knee or suit pants. He also said schools should ban AirPods, cell phones and drugs on campus, arguing that students cannot expect respect from teachers if they do not “respect the way you dress.”
As Florida Governor, I will *mandate* that all public school students come to school wearing a uniform.
— James Fishback (@j_fishback) January 20, 2026
For boys, a white polo, khakis, and a belt. For girls, knee-length dresses or pant suits. Strong schools are only possible with order and discipline. pic.twitter.com/adfUvCGaEq
Fishback later criticized what he described as current student clothing styles, saying children were coming to school “dressed like the Migos” and blaming school systems and some parents for allowing it. He said students wearing sagging jeans and single AirPods reflected a broader failure of discipline and said that, as governor, he would mandate a statewide uniform policy “on day one,” according to a video he reposted.
This is sadly what many high schools in Florida look like.
— James Fishback (@j_fishback) January 31, 2026
As Governor, I’ll mandate a statewide uniform, and we will cover the costs for all families that need it.
If a student refuses to follow dress code, they’re getting expelled.
No more dressing ghetto at our schools. https://t.co/hWuWLGIwiP
Fishback has said students who refuse to comply with the dress code would face expulsion. “If a student refuses to follow dress code, they’re getting expelled,” he wrote in response to images of high school students in California, according to a post on his account. In the same post, he said the state would cover the cost of uniforms for families who need financial assistance.
Across multiple posts and videos, Fishback has framed the proposal as part of a broader push for discipline in schools, saying uniforms would promote respect for teachers and higher behavioral standards. He has argued that clothing rules are necessary for what he calls a culture of “order” in public education.
Fishback has drawn attention for an unconventional campaign style, recently joining Tinder to reach young female voters and discuss his plans to make it easier for them to get married, buy homes and raise families, quickly reaching thousands within a day of joining the platform.
Fishback has tied the proposal to what he describes as a broader effort to reach younger voters and steer them toward what he calls “order, discipline and family formation.” He has said his outreach on social media is aimed at meeting young people “where they already are” and pushing what he frames as a cultural reset centered on marriage, work and personal responsibility.
That approach appears to be resonating most with younger voters, according to a recent Patriot Polling survey, which they posted about on their social media, conducted Jan. 19 to Jan. 29 among 827 likely Republican primary voters. The poll showed Fishback leading among voters ages 18 to 29, with 29.5% support compared with 25.1% for Rep. Byron Donalds, based on results published on the New York Times polling page. Overall, Donalds led the field with 37.4%, while Fishback stood at 22.6%, with roughly 40% of respondents undecided.
2026 Florida Republican Primary Poll
— Patriot Polling (@PatriotPolling) February 2, 2026
Among the overall electorate:
🟡 Byron Donalds: 37%
🔵 James Fishback: 23%
Among voters age 18-29:
🔵 James Fishback: 30%
🟡 Byron Donalds: 25%
Jan. 19-29 | 827 RV pic.twitter.com/IUCyZFXLGg
The survey found Donalds drawing his strongest support from older voters, while Fishback’s backing was concentrated among younger and more digitally engaged Republicans. Fishback has leaned heavily on online platforms to promote proposals on school discipline, immigration and higher education, arguing that “culture is upstream from politics” and that campaigns must speak directly to the habits and expectations of the next generation.
Reacting to the results, Fishback said the numbers reflected how early his campaign remains. “We launched our campaign nine weeks ago. Byron Donalds has been in the race for 12 months,” he wrote. “Solid poll, but the only poll that matters is on August 18, 2026,” he added, referring to Florida’s Republican primary election.
He has promoted his media appearances as part of his campaign and has appeared on Tucker Carlson’s program. Fishback said he is scheduled to appear on Piers Morgan’s show on Feb. 4, 2026.
