Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., lost his bid for a third term representing Florida's 7th Congressional District in Tuesday's primary, falling to former news anchor Ryan Elijah. The incumbent congressman faced a House Ethics Committee investigation and allegations of a federal probe, which loomed over his campaign.
Despite receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Mills was unable to secure a victory. Elijah, who previously worked as a news anchor for FOX 35 and served as an NFL sideline reporter, resides in Seminole County with his wife and two adult sons.
The outcome marked an upset, as Mills had held a significant lead in pre-primary polls and boasted the coveted Trump endorsement. The effort to unseat Mills had been underway for months, with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., leading a bipartisan censure attempt and initially threatening expulsion, though she later withdrew the latter. Mace also endorsed Elijah's campaign against Mills.
Earlier in August, Reps. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., also announced their support for Elijah. Mills, a military veteran, frequently referenced his endorsement from Trump during his campaign, while also downplaying the scandals affecting his re-election bid.
Mills is the latest in a series of House Republicans to face challenges amid scandals. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., withdrew from his re-election bid following a House Ethics Committee report accusing him of harassing two young female staffers. House Democrats had identified Mills as a potential vulnerability for the Republican party in the upcoming midterm elections, though it remains unclear if they will extend similar focus to Elijah.