James Fishback, the CEO of the investment firm Azoria who is seeking the Republican nomination to become governor of Florida, has proposed divesting the state’s investment in Israeli government bonds and using the fund to provide down payment assistance to married couples in the state.
In a post on X, Fishback declared, “Over the past two years, Florida government entities and taxpayer-funded colleges have sent $385 million to the Israeli government through open-market bond purchases. That money should have been invested in our communities. Instead, it was foolishly sent abroad to fund a foreign government. No public funds should ever be sent to a foreign government anywhere in the world.”
Fishback stated after the divestment of investments in Israel, he would start a $385 million program called “Rise and Shine” that would provide $10,000 in down payment assistance to married Florida couples. Fishback clarified why single homebuyers would not be eligible by adding, “My top priority is to help Floridians who are doing everything right finally afford a home – which is the foundation of starting a family, having kids, and living out the full arc of the American dream in the Sunshine State.”
The 30-year-old Fishback has gained visibility through media appearances where he spoke in favor of President Trump’s agenda, although he differed from the White House is criticizing the proposed 50-year mortgage to encourage affordable homeownership. He has also been vocal on corporate ownership of residential real estate, an issue that the Trump administration has not touched.
To date, the Trump administration has kept Fishback at arm’s length, ignoring his efforts from earlier this year to fill the Federal Reserve governor position that became open this summer with the resignation of Adriana Kugler. Rep. Byron Donalds has been endorsed for the GOP nomination by Trump, although Gov. Ron DeSantis has been critical of Donalds and has yet to endorse any candidate to succeed him.
