Rep. Cory Mills is now facing a challenge in the upcoming primary as serious allegations regarding his conduct have emerged.
On Tuesday, Ryan Elijah, a former anchor for FOX 35 Orlando, announced his candidacy for the Republican primary in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. This sets the stage for a potential clash with the incumbent Mills ahead of the August election.
Elijah emphasized that GOP voters deserve an alternative as Mills grapples with multiple allegations, notably concerning sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
“Voters in the Seventh District are seeking another option,” Elijah stated during an interview.
He labeled the accusations against Mills as “serious” and advocated for the ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee to proceed without interference. Recently, the committee confirmed that its only active inquiry related to sexual misconduct is associated with Mills.
This investigation has been in progress since November, with no indication of when it might conclude.
Mills faces additional allegations, including threats to disclose explicit images of a former girlfriend after their relationship came to an end. A judge subsequently issued an order preventing him from contacting her. He was also involved in a domestic incident in Washington, D.C., last year that required police intervention.
Despite these challenges, Mills has denied all allegations and not faced any criminal charges.
“I’ve never been indicted for anything,” Mills said in a recent interview. “Everything has just been accusations and allegations.”
Having lived in Florida for two decades, Elijah was inspired to run after discussions with local leaders expressing a desire for a new candidate.
He cautioned that Mills could prove to be a liability for Republicans in the approaching November election, warning that the party risks losing this seat if Mills remains the nominee.
“There’s clearly a risk that we could lose the seat,” Elijah noted.
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The Cook Political Report, which maintains a nonpartisan outlook, recently adjusted its rating of the race from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican,” indicating a more competitive environment ahead.
Financial concerns add to Mills’ challenges; he reported just over $115,000 in cash on hand as of April while bearing over $2 million in debt, according to the Federal Election Commission.
On the Democratic front, former NASA chief of staff Bale Dalton reported stronger early fundraising numbers, concluding the first quarter of 2026 with $464,000 in available cash as Democrats target the district for potential gains.
