Dave Elias

@GCNNow

Chief Political Correspondent Fort Myers, FL named by Washington Post among the "Most Outstanding Political Reporters" to follow.

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

@SWFLFirst Who recorded this? Please contact me

[Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 @ChristinaPushaw]

In October 2025, I met James Fishback after he sent me a direct message on X. I appreciated his commentary on conservative politics and Florida. For two months, we spoke frequently, and I offered him advice on his gubernatorial campaign. I was never working for him, I never received any form of compensation, and I never informed the governor of my communications with him.

Although I disagreed with his campaign rhetoric increasingly over time as it became more extreme, I still considered James Fishback a friend. We never had any romantic or sexual relationship, whatsoever.

Last week, I had to cut ties with James Fishback because I learned that he had deceived me, violated my trust, and lied about me to numerous people in media and politics. One matter that he deceived me about pertained to allegations that he had behaved inappropriately with minors in his Incubate Debate league. I was recently informed of allegations involving additional minors.

When I cut ties with Fishback, I told him that he would be more likely to go to prison than the governor’s mansion if he kept up his pattern of deception and fraud. Fishback reacted by becoming paranoid and delusional, accusing me of threatening him and directing FDLE to investigate him. That absolutely never happened. FDLE is an independent law enforcement agency that I have no control over. If there is an FDLE investigation into Fishback, I am not aware of it.

Since then, perhaps to get ahead of any news of the investigation that he believes is coming, Fishback has been spreading deeply personal, hurtful, and false rumors about me. He has claimed that we were romantically involved. He has even threatened to falsely accuse me of sexual harassment.

Based on some of his recent statements to me, I believe he is willing and able to fabricate or doctor text messages and conversations to harm my reputation. I believe he is dangerous. I have asked him to stop contacting me in any way, and I truly did not want to share this statement publicly — but by threatening to smear me today, he has left me with no choice but to speak out.

I am ashamed that I ever spoke to Fishback or offered any help to his campaign at all, even in an informal capacity. I formally apologize to LG Jay Collins, his wife Layla Collins, and Congressman Byron Donalds for anything I said to Fishback about them that coarsened the primary campaign and made it more toxic than it needed to be.

And from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry to Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for any embarrassment that my communication with James Fishback might ever bring on this office. They had absolutely no idea and would never have condoned my communications with him.

I am afraid of James Fishback. I believe he is a vindictive, dishonest, and fundamentally selfish actor who is using this gubernatorial campaign to distract from his significant financial and legal problems. I am terrified that he will weaponize his platform against me to destroy me for my “crime” of getting angry at him and cutting off contact.

All I wanted was for him to leave me alone and allow us both to move on. Unfortunately he has not given me that choice.

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

@JenHeroldFL @USATODAY Hi Jen, I'm a reporter with NBC/ABC in Fort Myers-Naples TV Market...I'd love to get an interview with you on this.

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

BREAKING:
https://t.co/Wc4wLJIBR4

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

@onestpress Hi Olga, did you shoot this video and if so, do we have permission to use it? If not, do you know who shot it and can you forward me their information?

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

US Senator Rick Scott just minutes away from accepting his victory.

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

I’m with US Senator Rick Scott’s campaign tonight in Bonita Springs. Live on @NBC2

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

https://t.co/jQeKKDMk9i

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

@WTRF7News Where is this?

[Carmine Marceno - Lee County Sheriff @SheriffLeeFL]

Following a press conference Sheriff Marceno and Hendry Co Sheriff Whidden sat down with @daveelias to discuss SB 184. It prohibits threatening & harassing 1st responders. Both sheriffs agree constitutional rights are at the forefront but allow LEO to conduct their investigations

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

https://t.co/hpqHogqHY1

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

DEVELOPING: Citizens Insurance under federal investigation. Details at 4&6 on NBC2.

[Carmine Marceno - Lee County Sheriff @SheriffLeeFL]

This morning, Sheriff Carmine Marceno interviewed with @daveelias @NBC2 regarding a recent road rage incident. During the interview, Sheriff Marceno announced the creation of a Road Rage Unit dedicated to combating dangerous drivers on Lee County roadways.

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

Trump supporter @LauraLoomer uses a bullhorn to interrupt DeSantis news conference Thursday in Tampa.

[Michael J. Hayes @mjhayesTV]

An exciting day @NBC2 & ⁦@ABC7SWFL⁩ in Fort Myers welcoming the team to ⁦@HearstTV⁩. ⁦⁦@Hearst⁩ COO ⁦@JWertlieb⁩ with inspiring remarks to set the tone of what’s ahead. Let’s go do great things. #WeAreBroadcasters

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

https://t.co/GcREc7Tufq

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

https://t.co/8mz8uZSLe7

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has died at the age of 93 via NBC2 https://t.co/2JyyHvLWyR

[Dave Elias @daveelias]

Cape Coral Preacher goes after @tedcruz Today I get to the bottom of it.
https://t.co/gxa68B2G84