Hours after losing his bid for a third term in Florida's 7th Congressional District primary, Republican Congressman Cory Mills, 46, retreated to a rented $2 million oceanfront property in New Smyrna Beach. Sources close to Mills report that he has been staying at the lavish beach house, described as a hideaway, since his Aug. 13 primary loss to challenger Ryan Elijah.
A neighbor told the Daily Mail that they observed Mills and Catherine Chils, 27, sitting outside at the property for an entire day shortly after his election defeat. Three sources close to Mills described Chils as a long-standing companion. Chils, who has been a part of Mills's life for the past three years, denies being at the property on that specific day and states that she and Mills are just friends. She confirmed Mills helped pay her college tuition, stating, "When I was in a time of need to finish school, he helped me." Mills has denied any romantic relationship with Chils.
Mills's disappearance from public view and his lack of communication have raised concerns among his staff. Some aides admit that Mills has a history of going "MIA," but his current unresponsiveness and failure to make any public statement following his defeat have surprised them. Mills has been known to sleep in his campaign bus, making him difficult to locate when he drops off the radar.
In the final stretch before the primary, Mills became less visible, skipping multiple media appearances. He missed scheduled interviews with Fox News's streaming platform and a local Fox Orlando affiliate, with stations and networks only being alerted to his absence after the fact.
Multiple Investigations and Scandals
Mills's two terms in Congress have been marked by numerous allegations, including domestic violence, revenge porn, and financial misconduct, all of which he has denied. A Washington D.C. police investigation last year into an alleged assault at his apartment concluded after the woman recanted her claims. Mills denied any physical altercation.
His ex-girlfriend, Lindsey Langston, a Republican state committeewoman and former Miss United States, accused Mills of threatening to release explicit videos of her and to harm men she dated after their breakup. A Florida judge granted Langston a restraining order against Mills in October of the previous year, though it has since lapsed. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
A House Ethics Committee investigation is also ongoing, looking into alleged campaign finance violations, misuse of congressional resources, and sexual misconduct or dating violence. The committee's inquiry, which has involved over 20 subpoenas and thousands of documents, will conclude when Mills leaves office in January, as the committee loses jurisdiction over former members.
Furthermore, the Justice Department has been examining Mills's finances for months, including alleged overseas business dealings. Sources familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that a federal probe, which reportedly began in the final months of the Biden administration, centers on allegations of wire fraud and other financial misconduct related to Mills's personal accounts. The Justice Department has not confirmed the investigation, and Mills has not been charged with any crime.
Mills has vehemently denied all allegations, previously characterizing the reporting on the Justice Department investigation as "fake news" and a political "witch hunt."
Election Loss and Future Plans
Despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump in February, Mills was notably excluded from a list of Florida Republican incumbents Trump backed just before the primary. Trump later stated he had advised Mills to withdraw from the race. Voters ultimately rejected Mills's bid for a third term, with Elijah securing a 14-point victory.
Sources suggest Mills is already considering his next steps, including potential work in foreign affairs or lobbying. One source indicated that Mills did not anticipate losing the primary, stating, "He genuinely did not see himself losing this primary."
Mills's absence could pose a challenge for House Republicans, who hold a narrow three-vote majority and face a September deadline to pass a bill to keep the government funded. A disaffected Mills may have little incentive to participate in key votes as he leaves office in January.