Donald Trump’s endorsement could not rescue Rep. Cory Mills from a Republican primary defeat in Florida. Ryan Elijah won the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District, ending Mills’ bid for another term as investigations and allegations continued to shadow his campaign.
Rep. Cory Mills loses Florida GOP primary to Ryan Elijah
NBC News projected Elijah as the winner with more than 80% of the expected vote counted. He held 46% of the Republican vote, compared with 34% for Mills. The district favored Donald Trump by 12 percentage points in 2024, giving Republicans a strong advantage heading into the general election.
Mills entered the contest with a powerful endorsement but faced an unusually difficult political environment. The House Ethics Committee has examined allegations involving sexual misconduct and campaign finance issues, while the Justice Department has investigated his finances. Mills has denied wrongdoing in those matters and other allegations involving his conduct.
Several Florida Republicans nevertheless rallied behind Elijah. Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos broke with the incumbent and endorsed his challenger, pointing voters toward what they described as a need for congressional leaders who demonstrate “integrity, energy” and dedication to their constituents.
Money also exposed the weakness of Mills’ campaign. Through late July, he had collected less than $900,000, according to an NBC News analysis of campaign finance reports. Elijah raised about half as much, but he put considerably more money into advertising, spending $82,000 compared with Mills’ $12,000, according to AdImpact.
Mills’ defeat adds his name to a surprisingly long list of House incumbents sent packing during their own party primaries this year. He is now the 11th House member to lose a primary, with seven Democrats and four Republicans falling along the way. Even Trump’s endorsement couldn’t save Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, who suffered the same fate earlier this month.
A former Army officer and military contractor, Mills first landed in Congress in 2022. His time in Washington later became clouded by calls for him to step down as investigations and allegations piled up. A former girlfriend accused him of harassment, a claim Mills has repeatedly rejected.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
