Cory Mills Loses Florida GOP Primary After Ethics Probe and Scandal

Cory Mills, a Republican representing Florida's 7th District, entered his 2026 reelection campaign under a cloud of controversy. The House Ethics Committee was investigating Mills for alleged sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, according to NPR Politics. Mills denied the allegations, but they quickly became central to his campaign.

He had previously served two terms in Congress and received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Despite that national support, local coverage and political opponents highlighted the ongoing ethics probe and allegations of assault that surfaced during the campaign.

The primary campaign heated up through the summer of 2026, with Mills facing mounting scrutiny over his conduct. According to The New York Times, the allegations against Mills included serious accusations of sexual misconduct and improper behavior toward women. These issues dominated headlines and became a significant liability.

On August 18, 2026, Mills' reelection fight reached its peak. NPR reported that the House Ethics Committee's investigation and the swirling scandals were hampering his support. That same day, The Hill and NBC News noted that Ryan Elijah, a former TV reporter, was gaining ground and appeared poised to defeat Mills in the Republican primary.

By August 19, the results were clear. Mills lost the GOP nomination to Elijah, as confirmed by NBC News and CBS. Reports from Axios and TIME highlighted the impact of the ethics probe and the broader trend of incumbents struggling during midterm cycles. The financial aspect also played a role, with CBS reporting that Elijah's Democratic rival, Bale Dalton, had a significant fundraising advantage.

After the loss, Donald Trump told The Hill and Forbes that he had advised Mills to withdraw from the race ahead of the primary. Trump withdrew his support and publicly distanced himself from Mills after the defeat, as detailed by the New York Post.

Ryan Elijah is now the Republican nominee for Florida's 7th District. Mills exits the race under ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee, with no indication that the probe has concluded.

The district could be more competitive in November, as Elijah faces Democrat Bale Dalton, who has a considerable cash advantage. National Republicans will be watching whether the seat remains in GOP hands, given the recent turmoil.

Attention now shifts to the general election between Elijah and Dalton. With the district's recent scandals and the Democratic candidate's fundraising edge, the seat may be in play. Observers will also be monitoring the outcome of the House Ethics Committee's investigation into Mills, although he is no longer a candidate.