James Fishback sparked a new political controversy by bringing gas prices back to $2.98.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A limited gasoline promotion organized by investor and former Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback drew drivers to an Orlando station Saturday, offering fuel at $2.98 per gallon.

A Temporary Return to $2.98

Fishback partnered with Krave Station at 3025 East Colonial Drive to offer 2,000 gallons of gasoline at the discounted price beginning September 26. WFTV

The promotion was advertised as a return to the “pre-Iran war” price, referencing the roughly $2.98 national gasoline level recorded around the conflict’s February start.

The discounted fuel was limited to available supplies and sold on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning the promotion represented a temporary offer rather than a broader reduction in gasoline prices.

Local reports showed lines forming at the station as motorists sought the unusually low price, with dozens of vehicles reportedly waiting during the Saturday promotion.

Fishback said the promotion could save motorists as much as $22 on a fill-up, depending on how much gasoline they purchased and the amount their vehicles could hold.

Why $2.98 Matters

The $2.98 figure has become a political reference point because gasoline prices have risen substantially since the United States entered conflict with Iran earlier this year.

Brown University’s Watson Institute estimates that the national gasoline average has risen from about $2.982 per gallon at the conflict’s beginning to approximately $4.492 currently.

That represents an increase of roughly 51%, according to the institute’s energy-cost tracker, which estimates the additional gasoline and diesel burden on American households.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that gasoline averaged $4.29 nationally on September 11, compared with $2.98 before the Iran war, while diesel prices had exceeded $6.

In Florida, prices have also climbed sharply. WFTV reported the statewide regular-gasoline average reached $4.29 on September 17, while Orlando-area prices averaged approximately $4.34. 

By September 22, Central Florida prices remained above the statewide average, with Orange County and several surrounding counties reporting regular gasoline around $4.37 per gallon. 

Fishback’s Political Message

Fishback has connected the promotion directly to his criticism of the Iran conflict, arguing that American motorists should not bear the financial consequences of a war they did not choose.

His campaign has emphasized gasoline costs as a broader economic issue, particularly as transportation expenses affect households, businesses and organizations dependent on fuel-intensive supply networks.

Fishback previously campaigned for the Republican nomination for Florida governor in 2026, but the Florida Division of Elections currently lists his gubernatorial candidacy as defeated.

His political positioning has included criticism of President Donald Trump’s Iran policy, placing him among Republican voices questioning aspects of the administration’s approach to the conflict.

The discounted gasoline event therefore served two purposes: providing limited relief for motorists while giving Fishback an opportunity to publicly connect fuel prices with his political criticism.

The Broader Economic Impact

Higher gasoline prices affect drivers directly, but diesel costs can have broader consequences because trucks, agricultural equipment and other commercial transportation systems depend heavily on diesel fuel.

The Associated Press has reported that rising diesel prices are increasing transportation expenses and creating pressure throughout supply chains, including food distribution and delivery networks. 

Central Florida organizations are already reporting similar pressures. Local food banks said higher fuel and freight costs are increasing expenses while demand for assistance is simultaneously growing.

The situation means fuel prices are increasingly connected to questions beyond household transportation, including food distribution, logistics, business costs and the wider inflationary environment.

A Symbolic Price Cut

Despite the attention surrounding Saturday’s event, the $2.98 price was available only for a limited quantity of gasoline and therefore did not represent a permanent change in Orlando or Florida fuel prices.

The event nevertheless offered a vivid illustration of the gap between current pump prices and the levels motorists remember from before the Iran conflict began.

For Fishback, that difference has become central to his argument that fuel costs should be discussed alongside the broader economic consequences of U.S. foreign policy.

For drivers, the immediate attraction was simpler: a temporary opportunity to purchase gasoline substantially below prevailing local prices, even if the promotion could not change the wider market.

The episode comes as Americans continue watching energy markets for signs of whether crude-oil disruptions, geopolitical tensions and supply constraints will keep gasoline prices elevated.

What Happens Next?

The future of gasoline prices will depend on developments in global oil supply, refinery operations, transportation routes and the course of the Iran conflict, rather than on individual promotional discounts.

Fishback’s Orlando event has ended, but the political debate surrounding fuel costs is likely to continue as motorists, businesses and policymakers confront prices significantly above prewar levels.