The Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate and runner-up to frontrunner Byron Donalds drew sharp attention at a recent campaign rally, asserting a hard-line view on language and national identity that has reverberated beyond state politics. Speaking to supporters at his home, the candidate said, “We have but one language, the English language. And if you don’t adhere to that, get out,” a statement that has intersected with broader national debates over language, culture and representation as a Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime performance this year sparked its own controversies.
James Fishback, candidate for Florida Governor, in Madison County:
— Joan (@joanfromdc) February 10, 2026
"We have but one language, the English language. And if you don't adhere to that. Get out. And yes, that includes Bad Bunny. Get out!" pic.twitter.com/EVz7y5Bsfl
At the rally, the candidate distinguished himself from party establishments, saying he did not “work for the Republican Party” and that party leaders “hate” him for not fitting their mold of a “country club Republican.” He recounted his personal background, noting that his father “didn’t graduate from high school” and that his mother, who was born in South America, taught her children English as a central part of their upbringing. “Because as Teddy Roosevelt eloquently said, ‘We have but one flag, the American flag. We have but one language, the English language,’” he continued, linking those sentiments to his campaign message of unity. “I am running to be your governor because Florida is our home, America is our birthright, and we can never let them steal it from us,” he added.
The governor’s race in Florida has drawn heightened scrutiny as voters consider a crowded Republican primary field. Among declared candidates are U.S. representative Byron Donalds, who has been widely viewed as the frontrunner in the contest, alongside several others seeking the nomination for the 2026 general election. Donalds’s candidacy has garnered endorsements from U.S President Trump as well as figures within Florida’s political establishment, underscoring his status as a leading contender.
The rally’s emphasis on English as a unifying national language comes amid a larger cultural conversation in the United States. In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the federal government, the first such directive at the national level, with the administration stating that the move would promote unity and cohesion across the country. More than 30 states, including Florida, already designate English as their official language at the state level.
That backdrop has intersected with recent national pop culture moments that touched on language and identity. The announcement that Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny would headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show drew debate in some conservative circles because most of his performance and public commentary was in Spanish. Critics argued that the choice of a predominantly Spanish-language performer was at odds with the idea of a singular American linguistic identity, while supporters described it as a reflection of the country’s diversity.
The Florida candidate’s remarks reflect a broader strain of political discourse linking language policy to questions of cultural belonging and governance. Whether that message resonates with a wider electorate remains to be seen as the gubernatorial primary season continues and voters weigh the issues shaping Florida’s political future.
