Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, lost his bid for a third term in Florida’s 7th Congressional District.
Mills lost in Tuesday’s GOP primary to former Orlando-area news anchor and one-time NFL sideline reporter Ryan Elijah.
“GOP Rep. Cory Mills has LOST his primary to Ryan Elijah after casting the deciding vote against removing Ilhan Omar from her committees following her comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder,” Real America’s Voice noted.
“Republican voters have spoken,” it added.
GOP Rep. Cory Mills has LOST his primary to Ryan Elijah after casting the deciding vote against removing Ilhan Omar from her committees following her comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Republican voters have spoken.pic.twitter.com/a72urZB4Rz
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) August 19, 2026
More from The New York Times:
Mr. Mills’s campaign was troubled by the allegations of misconduct against him. A former girlfriend was granted a protective order against Mr. Mills last year after accusing him of threatening her with revenge porn after their breakup. Police in Washington, D.C., investigated Mr. Mills last year after a woman filed an assault report, though no charges were filed. Mr. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
Florida’s Seventh Congressional District, which Mr. Mills represents, leans to the right. He had campaigned largely on the endorsement of Mr. Trump, who won the district in 2024 by 12 percentage points. Democrats have targeted the seat amid Mr. Mills’s personal turmoil and his campaign’s struggles to raise money.
Some local Republicans, including Ms. Luna, had called for Mr. Mills to step aside.
“We need leaders in Congress who serve with integrity, energy, and an unwavering commitment to the people who sent them there,” Ms. Luna and Mr. Haridopolos wrote in a joint statement earlier this month expressing support for Mr. Elijah.
Mr. Elijah had trumpeted support from local sheriffs and cited the allegations against Mr. Mills, and the potential political implications of them, as the reason he entered the race.
“I am humbled by the trust we received from Central Florida. ‘The people’ had their voices heard because we took the time to listen to them. I spoke with thousands of voters, often in their homes. While those new relationships helped carry us to victory, the long-established relationships with community leaders also played a major role,” Elijah said.
“The courage so many leaders showed in supporting me against an incumbent made a tremendous difference. Incredible doors opened during this process, and I thank God for placing some amazing people in my life. Finally, I dedicate our victory to my Dad. He is smiling in heaven today,” he continued.
I am humbled by the trust we received from Central Florida. “The people” had their voices heard because we took the time to listen to them.
I spoke with thousands of voters, often in their homes. While those new relationships helped carry us to victory, the long-established… pic.twitter.com/kVUroU6yws— Ryan Elijah (@ryanelijah) August 19, 2026
Fox News noted:
Mills is the latest in a string of House Republicans to fall amid scandals in recent months.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid in the wake of an explosive House Ethics Committee report that accused him of harassing two young female staffers.
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