Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, is campaigning for reelection to his House seat amid an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The committee opened an inquiry earlier this year into allegations that Mills assaulted a former girlfriend and violated campaign finance laws. Mills has previously denied any wrongdoing, and his campaign office did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations.
Mills’ reelection bid occurs amid a broader pattern of congressional members facing scandals and domestic abuse allegations while running for office. His campaign prominently features “Trump Endorsed” messaging, though President Trump endorsed him in February and subsequently omitted him from several endorsement posts on social media leading up to the primary election. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis stated he has not endorsed Mills and does not support him.
The race in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, which spans central Florida from northern Orlando suburbs to areas south of Daytona Beach, features multiple challengers on the Republican side. Mills’ main GOP competitor is former television news anchor Ryan Elijah, who has secured endorsements from Florida Republican Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos. Other GOP primary candidates include real estate agent Sarah Ulrich and Army veteran and Department of Defense employee Michael Don Johnson.
The controversies surrounding Mills have affected political assessments of the district. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the district from “solid red” to “likely red,” suggesting decreased certainty about Republican control. Some voters expressed concern that Mills’ legal and personal difficulties could weaken Republican prospects in a general election matchup. Democrats have identified the race as competitive and are directing campaign resources toward it. The Democratic field includes Bale Dalton, a 24-year Navy veteran and former NASA chief of staff, and former Representative Alan Grayson, who previously represented Florida congressional districts.
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