Rep. Cory Mills Loses Florida GOP Primary Amid Investigations

Republican Rep. Cory Mills has lost his primary in Florida's 7th District, NBC News projects, amid a swirl of investigations and negative publicity despite running with the backing of President Donald Trump.

Former television journalist Ryan Elijah captured the Republican nomination over Mills in the district, which Trump carried by 12 points in 2024. With more than 80% of the expected vote counted, Elijah had 46% of the GOP primary vote to 34% for Mills.

Unlike other incumbents who fell short this year over intraparty divides, Mills' defeat comes as he's been dogged by multiple investigations, including a House Ethics Committee probe into sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, as well as a Justice Department investigation into his finances. Mills has denied wrongdoing.

Despite his struggles, Mills still received Trump's endorsement. The loss makes him the latest Republican to lose a primary even with the president's backing, following Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles earlier this month. Mills is the 11th House member to lose a primary this year — seven Democrats and four Republicans.

Elijah ran with support from prominent Florida Republicans, including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, who took the rare step of endorsing against a House colleague. "We need leaders in Congress who serve with integrity, energy, and an unwavering commitment to the people who sent them there," they wrote.

Mills struggled to raise money, pulling in less than $900,000 through late July — twice what Elijah raised in that period but far less than most incumbents. Elijah significantly outspent Mills on ads, $82,000 to $12,000, according to AdImpact.

Mills, an Army veteran and former military contractor, was elected to Congress in 2022. His tenure included the ethics and Justice Department investigations, bipartisan calls for his resignation this spring, and prior allegations from an ex-girlfriend that he harassed her. Mills has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Democrat Bale Dalton, a former NASA official, is projected to win his party's primary, defeating former Rep. Alan Grayson.