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Embattled Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills fights to keep his House seat

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Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Embattled Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills fights to keep his House seat Mills is the latest lawmaker in a recent string of congressional members facing scandals and allegations of domestic abuse while running for elected office. Elections Embattled Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills fights to keep his House seat August 18, 20264:04 PM ET By Catherine Welch Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on April 22.
− The House Ethics Committee is investigating Mills for allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
+ The House Ethics Committee is investigating Mills over allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
Mills denies any wrongdoing.
− Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption Republican Congressman Cory Mills is running for reelection in Florida while facing allegations he assaulted a woman last year.
+ Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills is running for reelection in Florida while facing allegations he assaulted a woman last year.
Mills is the latest lawmaker in a recent string of congressional members facing scandals and allegations of domestic abuse while running for elected office.
− The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation earlier this year into allegations that Mills assaulted a former girlfriend and also violated campaign finance laws.
+ The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation this year over allegations that Mills assaulted a former girlfriend and also violated campaign finance laws.
NPR reached out to Mills' office for a response to those allegations but did not hear back. He has previously denied any wrongdoing.
− Mills' campaign signs feature "Trump Endorsed" in big letters across the top, and though President Trump did endorse him in February, he left Mills out of a number of endorsements posted on social media running up to today's primary election.
+ Mills' campaign signs feature "Trump Endorsed" in big letters across the top, and though President Trump did endorse him in February, he left Mills out of a number of endorsements posted on social media running up to Tuesday's primary election.
And when asked about Mills late last week, Republican Gov.
− Ron DeSantis said, "I have not endorsed Cory Mills and I do not support Cory Mills." Mills' campaign website shows the endorsements of about a dozen House Republicans.
+ Ron DeSantis of Florida said, "I have not endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills." Mills' campaign website shows the endorsements of about a dozen House Republicans.
Meanwhile, his main GOP challenger, former local television news anchor Ryan Elijah, has been endorsed by Florida GOP Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos. Also running in the GOP primary are real estate agent Sarah Ulrich and U.S. Army veteran and Department of Defense employee Michael Don Johnson. Loading...
− The 7th Congressional District runs across central Florida from the northern suburbs of Orlando to the coast south of Daytona Beach.
+ The 7th Congressional District is situated in central Florida, from the northern suburbs of Orlando to the coast south of Daytona Beach.
It is one of seven districts left unchanged when Florida redrew its congressional maps in May.
− Sanford, Fla. sits in the heart of the district. And it's where resident Patrick Austin cast his ballot over the weekend.
+ Sanford sits in the heart of the district, and it's where resident Patrick Austin cast his ballot over the weekend.
"He delivers for our district," said Austin.
− "He's brought a lot of money, he's fixed a lot of issues that we needed, that's all I want." Voter Tiffany Davis said Mills had too much "baggage" for her to vote for him.
+ "He's brought a lot of money.
+ He's fixed a lot of issues that we needed — that's all I want." Voter Tiffany Davis said Mills had too much "baggage" for her to vote for him.
She is concerned that if he wins the primary, he'll lose in the general election. Elections Here are Florida's 2026 primary election results "I think Cory Mills is going to get beat, honestly, if it comes to a Democrat, and I just don't think I can chance it," she said. "I think he has a lot of issues. I think he was a good guy, but he has too many issues right now." The scandals around Mills have muddied Republicans' clear chance of winning and keeping the seat.
− The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which tracks races, moved Mills' district from the "solid red" column to the less certain "likely red." Democratic voter Penny Merthie said she would love for Mills to win and give her party's challenger a shot at beating him, "because he has a lot of controversy around him and he doesn't represent the people." Even though Mills won this district twice, Democrats consider this race competitive and are putting money toward flipping the seat.
+ The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which tracks races, moved Mills' district from the "solid Republican" column to the less certain "likely Republican." Democratic voter Penny Merthie said she would love for Mills to win and give her party's challenger a shot at beating him, "because he has a lot of controversy around him and he doesn't represent the people." Even though Mills won this district twice, Democrats consider this race competitive and are putting money toward flipping the seat.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is throwing its support to Bale Dalton, a 24-year Navy veteran and former NASA chief of staff. Also running is former Rep.
− Alan Grayson, who was first elected in 2008 to represent Florida's 8th district.
+ Alan Grayson, who was first elected in 2008 to represent Florida's 8th District.
He lost that seat after one term and won in 2012 in the 9th Congressional District, where he served two terms. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor