One of Congress’ Most Scandal-Plagued Republicans May Be About to Lose His Primary

Republican Rep. Cory Mills faces a challenging primary election in central Florida, with allegations of misconduct and domestic abuse weighing heavily on his candidacy. In February 2025, a girlfriend accused Mills of domestic assault, only for her accusations to be later recanted under pressure. Her allegations resurfaced in August 2025 when Mills was accused of stealing valor and obtaining a Bronze Star fraudulently.

An ex-girlfriend then filed a restraining order against Mills in October 2025 due to threats to share explicit videos from their relationship. The judge later found that Mills' testimony was not truthful. The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Mills' allegations in November 2025, authorizing over 20 subpoenas and obtaining thousands of documents.

In May 2026, the committee revealed more than 20 subpoenas and extensive document collection as part of their investigation. In July 2026, Mills was under investigation by the Department of Justice, allegedly related to his financial dealings. If Mills wins the primary, it would be a significant victory for President Donald Trump's endorsement and the Republican Party's willingness to overlook alleged misconduct.

However, if Mills loses, he would join a growing list of Congressmen who have faced allegations of misconduct against women, including resignations and facing expulsion. Potential challenger Ryan Elijah has raised more funds than Mills and has endorsements from two Florida GOP colleagues. Public polling remains limited, with Mills ahead by 6 points, but a significant portion of voters are still undecided.