Former television news anchor Ryan Elijah defeated incumbent Rep. Cory Mills in Florida's 7th Congressional District primary election on Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race when Elijah held a double-digit lead, with 46.9% of the vote to Mills' 34.4%.
![Congressional candidate Ryan Elijah, center, without sign, campaigns during the Florida primary election on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Florida. Elijah is a Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in Florida's 7th District. (Mark Harper/News-Journal)]( "Congressional candidate Ryan Elijah, center, without sign, campaigns during the Florida primary election on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Florida. Elijah is a Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in Florida's 7th District. (Mark Harper/News-Journal)" "Congressional candidate Ryan Elijah, center, campaigns during the Florida primary election on Aug. 18, 2026.")
Mills, a Republican representing Florida's 7th District, is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The probe involves allegations described as "serious and complex," including claims of domestic assault, stolen valor, and financial misconduct.
Despite receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Mills did not secure a recent re-endorsement on Truth Social, a platform Trump frequently uses to support Republican candidates. Elijah, formerly the host of "Good Day Orlando" and "Orlando Matters," garnered endorsements from several other Republican representatives, including Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, both of Florida.
