Trump-Endorsed Incumbent Cory Mills Defeated in Florida GOP Primary

On Tuesday night, former television news anchor Ryan Elijah won the Republican nomination for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, defeating two-term incumbent Rep. Cory Mills. With more than 95 % of precincts reporting, Elijah captured roughly 47 % of the vote to Mills’ 34 %. The loss ends Mills’ bid for a third term and marks the 11th House incumbent to fall in a GOP primary this cycle.

NBC News

Mills entered the race amid investigations. Since November 2025, the House Ethics Committee has probed allegations of assault, campaign-finance violations, and misuse of resources. A Department of Justice inquiry is also examining his finances. Earlier this year, a court injunction barred Mills from contacting an ex-girlfriend who accused him of threatening to release explicit images.

New York Post

President Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February 2026, calling him an “America First Patriot,” but later omitted him from a list of Florida endorsements and urged him to withdraw, saying, “I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen.”

CNN

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to back Mills, stating, “I have not endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills.” Several Florida House Republicans, including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, endorsed Elijah, highlighting intra-party fractures.

NPR

• Vote share (?95 % counted): Elijah ? 47 %; Mills ? 34 %; other GOP challengers split the remainder.

Newsweek

• Fundraising through July 29: Elijah ? $3 million; Mills ? $975,000.

NOTUS

• Ethics Committee subpoenas: >20 issued, dozens of witnesses interviewed.

New York Post

• Capital Strategic Partners survey (Aug. 14-15): 54 % of likely Republican voters favored a new candidate; 26 % supported Mills.

Newsweek

• Donald Trump – After the primary, Trump posted on Truth Social that he now fully backs Elijah, praising him as “respect[ed] by ALL” and granting a “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

CNN

• Ron DeSantis – Reiterated his lack of support for Mills.

The Hill

• House Speaker Mike Johnson – Said Mills “should be afforded due process.”

CNN

• Cory Mills – Denied wrongdoing, asserting there is “absolutely no reason to resign” and labeling the investigations “fake news.”

NOTUS

Sources differ on the existence of a DOJ investigation. Some outlets report an active probe of Mills’ finances, while Mills denies any inquiry. The House Ethics Committee has issued subpoenas and a no-contact order but has not announced formal findings or charges.

NOTUS

• “I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen.” — Donald Trump

CNN

• “We now have a great candidate, Ryan Elijah, running in his place! Ryan stands for EVERYTHING MAGA, and is respected by ALL. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” — Donald Trump

CNN

• “I have not endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills.” — Ron DeSantis

NPR

• “To me, the people spoke tonight, and they sent a very clear message,” — Ryan Elijah

Incumbent Cory Mills defeated; Ryan Elijah wins primary

Elijah will face Democrat Bale Dalton, a Navy veteran and former NASA chief of staff, in the November general election. The Cook Political Report rates the district “Likely Republican,” though Democratic investment has increased since Mills’ defeat. Both parties are mobilizing resources ahead of the November ballot.

NPR