TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s Voice CEO Brendon Leslie and conservative commentator Arynne Wexler warned Tuesday in opposition to supporting major challengers James Fishback and Matthew Taylor, generally known as Matt the Welder, saying the candidates lack the expertise and seriousness wanted for key statewide places of work and will mislead youthful voters.
The pair appeared on Newsmax 2’s “John Bachman Now” to debate the successes of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature regardless of occasional disagreements, highlighting the state’s environment friendly governance in comparison with bigger states like New York.
“This isn’t a time for amateurs,” Bachman mentioned, noting Florida’s funds is roughly half the scale of New York’s whereas serving extra folks.
Leslie expressed concern over the affect of Fishback, who he mentioned is impacting about 10% of the Republican base, significantly amongst youth.
“They’re form of rising up with this man, James Fishback, and studying actually dangerous habits and simply be a nasty individual,” Leslie mentioned. “So I fear about that.”
On Taylor, Leslie was blunt concerning the candidate’s background and seriousness.
“Bless his coronary heart, this man has a troubled previous. It looks as if he wants assist, however it’s essential that we put one of these candidate down, as a result of he can not do a job such because the Agriculture Commissioner,” Leslie mentioned. He famous the place includes way over agriculture and handles vital tasks.
🚨 WATCH: Matt the Welder is desperately smearing Wilton Simpson by peddling lies to ignorant younger voters whereas attempting to bury his personal embarrassing previous with a phony edgy rebrand
“They simply do not have the real-life experiences similar to a extra seasoned veteran like Wilton Simpson… pic.twitter.com/V8iE9BqrfY
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) June 30, 2026
Wexler echoed the criticism, describing a troubling development on the suitable the place some candidates place themselves as the one ones who care whereas providing little substance.
“To Brendon’s level earlier than, this can be a troubling development with what’s taking place on the suitable, and we’re form of throwing the child out with the bathwater,” Wexler mentioned. She referred to as Taylor’s authorized title change “unserious” and labeled him a serial candidate who by no means wins.
“He’s saying that he cares about you when he’s a serial candidate who by no means wins. So does he actually care about using Florida, or does he need you to really feel disaffected?” Wexler requested.
Bachman famous the significance of continuity and expertise, pointing to Wilton Simpson’s success as agriculture commissioner and his robust backing from 61 sheriffs, the governor and the Legislature.
“Matt Taylor has proven zero capability to do something like that,” Bachman mentioned.
Leslie and Wexler additionally addressed residency and election integrity legal guidelines. Bachman identified Fishback could face poll points on account of a requirement that candidates reside in Florida for seven consecutive years earlier than working.
“They handed a regulation to be sure to can’t simply change your title proper earlier than the election, as Matt the Welder has executed,” Bachman added. “These are respectable issues that guarantee election integrity within the state.”
Leslie argued the challengers enchantment to “youthful, extra ignorant folks” who lack real-life expertise in comparison with seasoned veterans like Simpson. He defended Simpson in opposition to claims of being pro-development, highlighting his function in creating the Florida Wildlife Hall.
“He’s actually the godfather of the wildlife hall,” Leslie mentioned. “Have a look at a map of Florida at night time, you’ll see all of the lights on the coast the place everybody’s creating, however it’s a giant darkish strip down the center of the state, that’s preservation […] due to Wilton Simpson.”
Leslie mentioned the hall contains wildlife refuges and a whole bunch of 1000’s of acres of farmland the place improvement rights have been bought to protect them completely.
The feedback come amid Republican major races the place challengers like Fishback and Taylor have gained consideration, significantly amongst some Younger Republican teams. Leslie and Wexler careworn the necessity to course-correct amongst youthful voters and clarify why unqualified candidates in the end lose.
