Rep. Cory Mills Loses Florida Primary to Ryan Elijah Amid Ethics Investigation

Representative Cory Mills (R-Fla.) lost his primary election on Tuesday night to former TV reporter Ryan Elijah in Florida's 7th District, as reported by the Associated Press. Mills' defeat follows an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which has reportedly affected his support among prominent Florida Republicans. The investigation includes allegations of domestic abuse, stolen valor, and financial misconduct, all of which Mills denies. Former President Donald Trump had endorsed Mills last year but did not include him in a recent endorsement list. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also expressed his lack of support for Mills. Other Republican representatives, including Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, endorsed Elijah, with Haridopolos describing him as a 'true family man who can win in November in this safe Republican seat.' Democrats view the district as a potential opportunity for a pickup, although they would have preferred to run against Mills. Trump won the district by a margin of 13 points in the 2024 election.