Florida Rep. Cory Mills Loses Primary After Scandal-Filled Campaign

Florida's 7th District Representative Cory Mills lost his Republican primary on Tuesday to Ryan Elijah, former TV anchor, after a campaign marred by allegations of sexual misconduct, mishandling of campaign finances, and questions about his military record. Although former President Donald Trump endorsed Mills on February 10th, calling him an "America First Patriot," it was not enough to counter the controversies surrounding the incumbent.

Political analysts noted that while Trump's endorsement was powerful, it did not prevent voters from scrutinizing Mills individually. The primary saw 27% support for Mills and 44% for Elijah, indicating a highly volatile race. Mills had faced a court injunction in October after a former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release explicit videos of her, and a separate incident in February involved allegations of assault, though the woman later retracted her claim.

In November 2025, the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Mills, probing allegations of sexual misconduct and potential financial misrepresentations. The investigation concluded without finding any violations, but Mills denied any wrongdoing. Additionally, his military record was questioned when several veterans claimed they did not remember him being present during incidents for which he received a Bronze Star in 2021.

This month, two fellow incumbent lawmakers from the state, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, endorsed Elijah, and Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly expressed no support for Mills. Elijah will face Democratic candidate Bale Dalton in the November general election, with Dalton supported by Pete Buttigieg. If Dalton wins, the outcome could impact Florida's congressional delegation and potentially influence national political shifts.