Ryan Elijah Defeats Cory Mills in Florida GOP Primary

Former television news anchor Ryan Elijah won the Republican primary for Florida's 7th Congressional District on August 19, 2026, defeating incumbent Representative Cory Mills. Elijah secured approximately 47% of the vote compared to 34% for Mills, winning by roughly 12 percentage points.

Mills' defeat followed a series of scandals and investigations. The United States House Committee on Ethics launched a probe into allegations of campaign finance violations, sexual misconduct, and dating violence. Additionally, the United States Department of Justice reportedly opened a criminal investigation into Mills' finances in July 2026. Mills also faced a 2025 restraining order after a former partner accused him of threatening to release explicit images, and some veterans disputed his 2021 Bronze Star award. Mills has denied all wrongdoing, stating he has no open criminal or civil cases.

Political support for Mills collapsed leading up to the vote. While Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February, he later omitted him from endorsement lists and eventually gave his "Complete and Total Endorsement" to Elijah. Trump claimed he had told Mills to "get out of the Race," but the congressman "wouldn't listen." Governor Ron DeSantis also explicitly stated he did not support Mills.

Elijah, who received backing from Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, will face Democratic nominee Bale Dalton in the general election on November 3, 2026. The 7th District covers areas from the northern suburbs of Orlando to the coast south of Daytona Beach.