Full Breakdown
Judge Dismisses Challenge to Rep. Cory Mills’ Ballot Qualification
7/18/2026, 1:24:46 AM
Core Legal Decision
On July 17, Leon Circuit Judge Lee Marsh dismissed with prejudice a lawsuit seeking to remove U.S. Rep. Cory Mills (Florida’s 7th District) from the Aug. 18 Republican primary ballot. The suit, filed by primary challenger Michael Johnson and represented by attorney Gavin Rollins of the Sabatini Law Firm, alleged that Mills’ candidate oath was notarized in Washington, D.C., by a Florida notary public—an act the plaintiffs claimed violated Florida notary law. Marsh ruled that Florida law (Section 99.021, Florida Statutes) assigns qualification review to the Secretary of State, not the courts, and therefore the judiciary lacks authority to “look behind” the paperwork. The dismissal is final; the plaintiffs have no viable path to refile.
Legal and Procedural Background
Florida statutes require congressional candidates to submit a sworn oath signed and stamped by a notary public licensed in the state where the document is executed. Johnson contended that the notary, Alejandro Blair—chief of staff to Rep. Greg Steube—was in Washington on June 4, the notarization date, and that Blair’s Florida commission does not extend to the District of Columbia. The judge emphasized that the legislature’s intent was to let election officials, not judges, certify qualifications, and that expanding statutory language would create “additional requirements that do not appear in the statutory language.”
Official Statements & Responses
Marsh explained that the case “ultimately turns on the limits of judicial authority and the role Florida law assigns to election officials.” He declined to expand the statute to permit courts to invalidate a candidate based on alleged notarial defects. Mills’ campaign argued the suit lacked merit and proof, and the ruling allows his campaign to proceed uninterrupted. Johnson announced plans to appeal the decision to a higher court.
Criticism & Opposition
Johnson maintains that allowing Mills to remain on the ballot would “let people get away with violating Florida notary laws, elections forms, and legal requirements.” He framed the challenge as a defense of statutory compliance and signaled continued legal action.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ultimately, the voters get to decide who they want to represent them in the United States Congress,” — Lee Marsh, Leon Circuit Judge
- “At this point, the voters may look behind this. They can look behind a lot of things, and they can make their choice.” — Lee Marsh, Leon Circuit Judge
- “We cannot let people get away with violating Florida notary laws, elections forms, and legal requirements,” — Michael Johnson, text to USA TODAY Network Florida
- “We believe the lower court Judge is wrong. We cannot let people get away with violating Florida notary laws (especially regarding) election forms and legal requirements.” — Michael Johnson, statement to WESH 2
