Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Promises GTA 6 Marathon at Governor's Mansion
As part of his election campaign, Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback made an extraordinary statement, appealing directly to fans of the Grand Theft Auto series. Aiming to replace incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, Fishback delivered a speech on January 23rd, sharing his enthusiasm for the upcoming release of GTA 6 — the game is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026.
Fishback didn't stop at generalities: he promised to organize a 24-hour marathon at the governor's mansion if he wins the election. According to his plan, the event would invite the best students from the state's public schools — giving them the opportunity to be among the first to try the new game.
"When GTA 6 finally comes out, we're going to have a 24-hour marathon at the governor's mansion! The best students, every best student from our public schools, will come here to play a little GTA 6!" declared the candidate.
The irony of the situation is heightened by the fact that GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, which clearly parodies Florida, and the city of Vice City is a nod to Miami. Fishback acknowledged that he grew up on San Andreas, but emphasized: he "does not condone beating up prostitutes in GTA 6."
Thus, Fishback's statement fits into the trend where public officials leverage the popularity of gaming culture to attract voters' attention.