Shouting, pushing erupt at private Collier GOP meeting amid governor's race

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A private meeting of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee turned chaotic Tuesday night after gubernatorial candidate James Fishback attempted to enter an event where Congressman Byron Donalds was speaking, according to multiple people who attended the meeting.

Video shows shouting, pushing and a confrontation as people yelled, "Let Fishback in!" Witnesses told WINK News the Collier County Sheriff's Office eventually escorted Fishback and his supporters off the property. They said no one was arrested.

People who attended the meeting told WINK News the Collier County Republican Executive Committee has spent the past four months inviting Republican candidates for governor to speak to members. Tuesday night's speaker was Congressman Byron Donalds. Fishback had already addressed the group during the previous month's meeting.

Witnesses said Fishback returned Tuesday night to confront Donalds over his refusal to debate. They said supporters of Fishback who had pre-registered for the meeting began asking questions during the question-and-answer session before the situation escalated.

Former Lee County Republican Party Chairman Michael Thompson said he heard a commotion before seeing Fishback enter with members of his team.

"All of a sudden you hear a lot of commotion coming out of the lobby area, and that's when James walked in with his film crews and all that, trying to cause a disturbance and make a scene," Thompson said.

Republican state Rep. Yvette Benarroch of Marco Island, who was also at the meeting, said the confrontation quickly spiraled.

"It created chaos. It created some violence, and that is not what our party is about," Benarroch said. "I do think it's tactics to get attention."

Collier County Republican Executive Committee Chairman John Meo said he confronted Fishback as he attempted to enter the private meeting.

"I said, 'You're not allowed to come in here,'" Meo said. He said Fishback's bodyguard pushed him backward, prompting him to extend his arm. "According to them, I was taking a punch at him. But believe me, if I was taking a punch at you, you would've felt it. I didn't take a punch at him."

Meo said he believed Fishback's actions were disrespectful and created a potential safety concern during the private event.

Fishback has repeatedly challenged Donalds to debate during the Republican primary campaign and has posted videos on social media showing confrontations at other events.

In a statement to WINK News, Fishback said "There is no excuse for the violence at last night's Collier County REC meeting. I am running for Governor to preserve Governor DeSantis' law and order record and crack down on the kind of lawlessness we witnessed last night. Violence has no place in our politics."

Donalds also responded through a spokesperson, who provided comments to WINK News on his behalf.

"He already had his time in front of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee," Donalds said in response to a Fishback supporter. "I'm not afraid to debate anybody, sir. Because he's in single digits and he's not real."

In additional comments provided through his spokesperson, Donalds criticized Fishback's tactics.

"As much as I don't agree with some of the antics, you don't see me running around coming in shouting down meetings, yelling about this and yelling about that," Donalds said. "You know why? Because it is disrespectful and it takes away from the real goal, and the real goal of what we do is saving this nation, the greatest republic man has ever known. That is the goal of what we do."

The Collier County Sheriff's Office responded to the disturbance. WINK News has not learned of any arrests stemming from the incident.