A Leon County judge is hearing sharply different accounts Tuesday of where Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has actually lived, as a two-day trial got underway to determine whether he is constitutionally eligibl e to remain on Floridas gubernatorial ballot.The expedited hearing stems from a lawsuit filed by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins one of Fishbacks opponents in the Aug. 18 Republican primary alleging Fishback failed to satisfy the Florida Constitutions requirement that governors reside in the state for the seven years preceding the election. With vote-by-mail ballots already in voters hands, the courts decision could determine whether votes cast for Fishback are ultimately counted.Collins builds paper trail to WashingtonCollins attorneys spent much of the morning walking the court through what they argued is a consistent public record showing Fishback established legal residency in Washington, D.C.Campaign researcher Mark McLaughlin testified he obtained records showing Fishback registered and voted in Washington in 2020, purchased a condominium there in 2021, filed Washington income tax returns and received a D.C. homestead tax deduction reserved for primary residences. He also highlighted a 2022 mortgage-related letter stating Fishbacks newly purchased Madison home would become his new primary residence, while the Washington condominium would become a second home or future investment property.The plaintiffs also called nationally recognized forensic document examiner Thomas Vastrick, who testified that, after comparing the signature on Fishbacks D.C. voter registration with signatures from 14 other documents spanning roughly six years, it was probable Fishback himself signed the voter registration.The evidence points rather strongly and reflects a high level of confidence, Vastrick testified.Defense challenges the evidenceOn cross-examination, Fishbacks attorney Anthony Sabatini sought to undercut the weight of that documentary evidence.McLaughlin acknowledged he never personally observed Fishback sign any of the records, had no knowledge of whether Fishback personally prepared his tax returns and was unable to obtain the actual application for the D.C. homestead deduction because officials denied his public-records request on privacy grounds. He also acknowledged he is retained by the Collins campaign and has been paid tens of thousands of dollars for research work.Sabatini similarly emphasized that Vastricks testimony was limited to the authenticity of the signature itselfnot Fishbacks intent or legal domicile.Fishback: Florida has always been homeFishback then took the stand before a midday lunch break, offering the court a detailed account of his life and arguing he never abandoned Florida as his legal domicile.He testified he was born and raised in Broward County, attended Georgetown University for two years, then returned to Florida in 2015 to launch an investment firm while living at his parents home in Davie.After his parents relocated to Washington for his mothers job, Fishback said he remained in Florida, moved into his grandmothers Plantation home to care for her following his grandfathers death and continued operating his businesses from the state.I always wanted to come back to Florida, Fishback testified.Fishback also described founding Incubate Debate, a nonprofit debate league serving Florida high schools, saying the organization has expanded to 36 school districts and more than 10,000 students.My timewhere I lived, which was FloridaI had to go to workshops in Jefferson County one day, then be in Escambia the next, Okaloosa for a school-board meeting, and then host a tournament out in Duval, he testified. Incubate Debate is a Florida organization that exclusively serves Florida schools.He acknowledged owning property in Washington but argued those connections never displaced Florida as his permanent home.What comes nextThe hearing is expected to continue through Tuesday, and possibly continue Wednesday. Fishbacks attorneys are expected to continue presenting witnesses supporting his claim that Florida remained his legal domicile despite years spent working and owning property in Washington.The ruling could reshape the Republican primary just weeks before Election Day, though recent Cygnal polling continues to show U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leading the field with Fishback and Collins competing well behind him. ...read more read less