Sophie Rain is turning James Fishback’s failed campaign proposal into an opportunity to support the educators he claimed his controversial tax would help. After Fishback finished a distant third in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary, Rain announced that she would begin clearing classroom wish lists for teachers preparing for the upcoming school year. The pledge arrived after months of tension between Rain and Fishback, who personally targeted the content creator while promoting his proposed 50% “sin tax” on earnings generated through adult content platforms.
Rain announced the initiative in a TikTok video that quickly gained attention online. “This week, I’m gonna be clearing schoolteachers wish list. James Fishback, a Florida gubernatorial candidate who just lost the race, wanted to tax me 50% of my income, because he deems my job a sin, and that’s on top of the federal taxes I already paid,” Rain began.
She then questioned whether money generated through Fishback’s proposed tax would have reached Florida’s educators. “He said this, and I quote, ‘Sin Tax would be used to help school teachers in Florida,’ but we all really know where the money’s going,” she continued.
Rather than simply celebrating Fishback’s primary defeat, Rain said she wanted to help teachers directly. “So, in honor of his failed campaign, I am pledging to clear teachers’ wish list for this upcoming school year,” Rain announced. “I know how incredibly fortunate I am to be in the position I am, and I want to use my privilege to be able to give back to the teachers who really need it.”
The content creator invited educators to submit their classroom and school supply lists for consideration. “So if you’re a teacher and if you have a classroom or a school wish list, please send it to me. I’m gonna go through as many as I possibly can to start clearing them,” she said. “I love you guys, and I’m very grateful to be in the position I am, and to all the teachers out there, thank you so much for what you do.”
Rain did not disclose how much money she intends to spend or how many teachers she expects to assist.
Content Creator Took A Victory Lap After The Election
Rain’s TikTok pledge followed several mocking posts directed at Fishback after the primary results were announced. After a post declared that U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds had defeated Fishback, Rain responded on X, “looks like i am keeping my money [laughing face emoji].”
Rain then resurfaced Fishback’s Election Day message encouraging supporters to remain in line and vote. “Better luck in 2030 maybe? [laughing face emoji],” she wrote.
James Fishback Finished A Distant Third
Donalds won the Republican nomination with approximately 47.8% of the vote, according to Spectrum News. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins finished second, while Fishback received approximately 10.5% of the vote.
Donalds will face Democratic nominee David Jolly in November’s general election as voters select a successor to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek another consecutive term.
Fishback’s defeat prevents him from pursuing the tax as Florida’s governor during the upcoming term. However, even a victory would not have allowed Fishback to impose the levy independently. Under the Florida Constitution, a new state tax requires approval from two-thirds of the membership of both legislative chambers before being presented to the governor.
Fishback’s proposal never advanced beyond the campaign stage and was not enacted into Florida law.
Florida Candidate Proposed A 50% ‘Sin Tax’
Fishback launched the dispute in January when he announced what he described as the country’s first “OF Sin Tax.” “As Florida governor in year one, I will push for the first-of-its-kind OF Sin Tax,” Fishback declared. “If you are a so-called OF creator in Florida, you are going to pay 50% to the state on whatever you so-called earn via that online degeneracy platform…”
The investment firm CEO said the revenue would be directed toward Florida’s education system. “We will raise hundreds of millions of dollars of income on the OF Sin Tax,” he continued. “If we don’t raise that income, you know what it’ll mean? It’ll mean something even greater has materialized for the young women and young men of our state…”
Fishback did not stop at outlining the proposal. He singled out Rain by name and directly challenged her to leave the platform. ”Hey @SophieRaiin, pay up or quit OF. As Florida Governor, I will not allow a generation of smart and capable young women to sell their bodies online,” he wrote.
Rain, a lifelong Florida resident, quickly pushed back and accused the candidate of using her profile to generate attention for his campaign.
Sophie Rain Previously Accused Fishback Of Seeking ‘Clout’
Rain previously addressed Fishback’s proposal in comments provided exclusively to The Blast. “I have not heard of this guy until now, and I have lived in Florida all my life. He’s looking for clout,” she told The Blast.
She argued that she already pays significant federal taxes and questioned why Fishback wanted to single out creators for an additional 50% levy. “First of all, imposing a tax on OF girls is quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of. I already pay my taxes, millions in taxes, actually,” Rain said. “Also, why are you taxing the creator, why not the subscriber?! By that logic, this makes no sense.”
Rain also warned that targeting creators could push them to relocate outside Florida, costing the state money generated through housing, tourism and other local spending.
Fishback maintained that his proposal was intended to discourage participation in an industry he considered immoral while raising money for education.
