Florida gubernatorial hopeful sued over $8,000 missing debate scholarship

Candidate James Fishback faces a small-claims lawsuit from former debate champion Briana Whatley, who says he has only paid part of a promised $11,000 scholarship.

James Fishback, a Republican contender for Florida governor, is being sued in Broward County small-claims court by Briana Whatley, a former Incubate Debate champion now studying history at Florida State University. Whatley contends that Fishback’s organization promised her a total of $11,000 in scholarship money, including a $10,000 national-championship award, but only $3,000 was paid after a series of text messages in which Fishback admitted the oversight.

The lawsuit alleges that Fishback ignored her inquiries, blamed a terminated employee for the original award letter, and introduced an undocumented installment policy to avoid full payment. Whatley seeks the remaining $8,000 plus interest and costs, asserting she has suffered significant financial harm. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 September, and the case adds to Fishback’s recent legal battles, including a recent court ruling that cleared him to remain on the gubernatorial primary ballot.