GOP Rep. Cory Mills loses Florida primary amid investigations

Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida lost his primary election on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to challenger Ryan Elijah, a former television journalist. The defeat came despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump and occurred amid ongoing investigations by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice. With nearly all votes counted, Elijah secured 46 percent of the Republican primary vote in Florida's 7th District, while Mills received 34 percent. The district, which Trump carried by 12 percentage points in 2024, will now see Elijah face Democrat Bale Dalton in the November general election.

Mills' loss makes him the 11th House member to be defeated in a primary this year, an unusually high number that includes seven Democrats and four Republicans. His campaign was overshadowed by multiple probes. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating allegations that Mills misrepresented his military service, engaged in sexual misconduct, and committed campaign finance violations. Separately, the Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into his finances. Mills has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

The congressman faced significant political...