Trump Endorsement Fails to Save Rep. Cory Mills in Florida Primary

Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost his reelection bid in Florida on Tuesday, defeated by challenger Ryan Elijah, a former TV news anchor and NFL sideline reporter, despite retaining President Donald Trump's endorsement.

Mills has faced a House Ethics Committee investigation, a restraining order sought by a former girlfriend who accused him of threatening to distribute sexually explicit videos of her, and a Department of Justice investigation reported by ABC News in July that touched on his finances. Mills has denied the allegations. His defeat suggests limits to how long Republicans will stand behind a candidate carrying significant baggage, even with Trump's support.

In Florida's gubernatorial primary, Rep. Byron Donalds easily won the Republican nomination with strong party backing and Trump's endorsement. In his victory speech, Donalds called for unity after a bruising primary against Paul Renner and James Fishback, saying, "Tonight the primary is over. Tonight we put aside our differences. Tonight we are one united Republican Party."

On the Democratic side, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won her primary in Florida's redrawn 20th Congressional District, a historically Black district reshaped this year by the Republican-controlled legislature. Her run drew criticism from four Black opponents and other Black Democrats affected by Republican redistricting efforts. In her victory speech, she said, "Representation matters, and I will fight to make sure that representation counts again."

In Florida's 25th District, two-term Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz turned back a primary challenge from Democratic Socialists of America candidate Oliver Larkin. The race underscored growing divisions among Democrats over support for Israel, with Moskowitz a staunch supporter and Larkin calling for an end to U.S. aid. Moskowitz now faces a competitive general election in a district Republicans see as a top pickup opportunity.