Florida Rep. Cory Mills Loses Primary Amid Scandals, Trump Shifts Endorsement
Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost Florida's 7th Congressional District primary to Ryan Elijah after facing multiple scandals, including a House ethics probe and DOJ investigation into sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and dating a 19-year-old. President Trump, who endorsed Mills in February, later claimed he advised Mills to drop out and endorsed Elijah after the loss. Mills' defeat by a 13-point margin in a district Trump carried by 12 points signals potential weakening of Trump's influence among Florida Republicans.
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Trump Says He Told Scandal-Plagued Rep. Cory Mills to End Campaign Before Primary Loss
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that he advised Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) to abandon his reelection bid amid multiple scandals, including a House ethics investigation into allegations of dating violence, sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, and misuse of congressional resources. Mills, who was first elected in 2022, lost the GOP primary for Florida's 7th Congressional District to Ryan Elijah, a former local Fox news anchor, who secured 47% of the vote to Mills' 34%. Trump had previously endorsed Mills but switched to backing Elijah after the primary. Mills faces additional scrutiny from a Justice Department investigation into his finances and accusations of stolen valor from fellow Army veterans. His former girlfriend obtained a protective order after he allegedly threatened revenge porn. Elijah will face Democrat Bale Dalton in the general election.
Trump Distances Himself From Endorsed Candidate Cory Mills After Primary Loss
Following Cory Mills's defeat in Florida's Republican primary on August 18, 2026, President Trump publicly reversed his earlier endorsement, claiming he had advised Mills to drop out. Trump took to Truth Social to endorse Mills's opponent, Ryan Elijah, calling him a 'great candidate' who 'stands for EVERYTHING MAGA.' Trump had endorsed Mills in February 2025 and remained silent as Mills faced numerous allegations including sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and a Department of Justice investigation. Mills lost his primary by 12 points, the same margin by which Trump carried the district in 2024. The article characterizes Trump's move as an attempt to distance himself from a losing candidate after the fact.
Trump Tries to Distance Himself From Endorsed Candidate Cory Mills After Primary Loss
Following Cory Mills' defeat in Florida's Republican primary, President Trump publicly distanced himself from the embattled congressman on Truth Social, claiming he had advised Mills to drop out. Trump then endorsed Mills' opponent, Ryan Elijah, calling him a 'great candidate' who stands for 'EVERYTHING MAGA.' Trump had endorsed Mills in February and remained silent as allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and ethics breaches mounted. Mills is under a House ethics probe and a Department of Justice investigation. The article notes that Trump carried Mills' district by 12 points in 2024, and Mills lost the primary by the same margin, criticizing Trump for switching sides only after the ballots were cast.
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Embattled GOP Rep Cory Mills Doesn't Deny Dating Teenager While in Congress
Florida Republican Representative Cory Mills faces a tough primary election on Tuesday amid numerous scandals. Mills did not deny reports that he dated a 19-year-old while serving in Congress, calling it 'nothing illegal' and dismissing the inquiry as a 'slanderous hit piece.' He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice for allegations including sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and ethics breaches. Governor Ron DeSantis has withdrawn support, and two Florida GOP representatives endorsed Mills' opponent, former TV anchor Ryan Elijah. An August poll shows Mills leading by only six points, with 41% of Republican voters undecided. President Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February but has remained silent since. The outcome of Tuesday's primary may signal weakening Trump influence among Florida Republicans.
Embattled GOP Rep Cory Mills Doesn't Deny Dating Teenager While in Congress
Republican Representative Cory Mills, facing a tough primary challenge in Florida, did not deny reports that he dated a 19-year-old while serving in Congress. In response to questions from Mother Jones, Mills stated there is 'nothing illegal about two consenting adults dating' and accused critics of a 'disturbing obsession' with his personal life. The controversy adds to a growing list of allegations against Mills, including sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and a months-long House Ethics Committee probe, as well as a reported Department of Justice investigation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has withdrawn support, and two fellow Florida GOP representatives have endorsed Mills' opponent, former TV anchor Ryan Elijah. Although President Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February, he has remained silent recently. A recent poll shows Mills leading by only six points, with 41% of Republican voters undecided ahead of Tuesday's primary election.
Embattled GOP Rep Cory Mills Does Not Deny Dating Teenager While in Congress
Republican Representative Cory Mills, facing a tough primary election in Florida, did not deny reports that he dated a 19-year-old while serving in Congress. In response to questions from Mother Jones, Mills stated there is 'nothing illegal about two consenting adults dating' and accused critics of an 'obsession' with his personal life. Mills is already under a months-long House ethics probe and a reported Department of Justice investigation into numerous allegations including sexual misconduct, harassment, campaign finance violations, and ethics breaches. His reelection bid has been further weakened after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to support him, and two fellow Florida Republican representatives endorsed his opponent, former TV anchor Ryan Elijah. While President Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February, he has remained silent since. An August poll shows Mills leading by only 6 points, with 41% of Republican voters undecided. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday.