Story perspectives

Cory Mills loses Florida 7th GOP primary to Ryan Elijah

8/19/2026

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Cory Mills Defeated

Incumbent Rep. Cory Mills lost the Florida 7th District GOP primary to former TV anchor Ryan Elijah on Tuesday.
A federal judge issued a restraining order barring Mills from contacting an ex-partner after alleged threats to leak images.
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Mills for alleged misuse of congressional resources.
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Mills months earlier, posted only a brief congratulatory message after the loss.

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Elijah Upsets Mills

Incumbent Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost the Florida 7th District GOP primary to former TV anchor Ryan Elijah on Tuesday.
Elijah’s image as a husband, father and longtime community voice was highlighted as the driving factor behind his upset win.
Endorsements from Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, Mike Haridopolos and Nancy Mace backed Elijah.
Mills, a military veteran, repeatedly cited President Donald Trump’s endorsement during his campaign.

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Elijah Wins

Incumbent Rep. Cory Mills lost the Florida 7th District GOP primary to former TV anchor Ryan Elijah on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump urged Mills to quit, then fully endorsed Elijah, leaving Mills off his later endorsement list.
Both the House Ethics Committee and the Justice Department launched investigations into Mills, probing sexual misconduct, finance violations, and his sub-$900,000 fundraising with under $70,000 cash versus Elijah’s $186,000.

History

Historical Context

In June 2006, after a House Ethics Committee indictment on September 28 2005 and a $2 million RNC pullback, Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay stepped down, sparking a GOP leadership crisis. That episode set a pattern where ethics probes and party-leader endorsements can unseat incumbents, a dynamic echoed in the 2024 Florida 7th District primary where Cory Mills lost to Ryan Elijah.

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Cory Mills Defeated

Incumbent Rep. Cory Mills lost the Florida 7th District GOP primary to former TV anchor Ryan Elijah on Tuesday.
A federal judge issued a restraining order barring Mills from contacting an ex-partner after alleged threats to leak images.
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Mills for alleged misuse of congressional resources.
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Mills months earlier, posted only a brief congratulatory message after the loss.

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