WASHINGTON — Embattled Rep. Cory Mills has drawn a primary challenge from a former local TV news anchor in Florida who is warning that the scandals plaguing the congressman will make him vulnerable in a general election.
Ryan Elijah, who previously worked as an anchor for FOX 35 Orlando, announced plans to formally file his candidacy challenging Mills (R-Fla.) for Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat.
“We must have a representative in Washington who puts your needs first. I have raised my family in the district for 14 years and will make hardworking families, small businesses, and safe communities my number one priority,” Elijah declared in a statement.
Elijah has publicly called some of the accusations against Mills “serious” and told Fox News there’s “obviously a chance we could lose the seat.”
Mills, who was first elected to the House in 2023, has faced a string of controversies. Some of his colleagues, including firebrand Rep. Nancy Mace, called for him to leave office.
Already, Mills is facing some primary competition, including from his 2024 GOP foe, Michael Johnson, and Republican Sarah Ulrich.
Florida’s primary is slated for Aug. 18.
Mills, an Army veteran, has faced accusations of stolen valor, financial misconduct, and domestic abuse — all of which he strenuously denies.
Perhaps the biggest controversy is the domestic abuse accusations. Back in February of last year, the DC Metropolitan Police Department opened an investigation into accusations that he had assaulted a female Republican activist at his penthouse.
Critically, that victim later retracted key parts of her complaint.
The MPD had also filed for an arrest warrant for Mills, but it went unsigned by the then-acting US attorney for the District of Columbia.
Mills also faced a lawsuit from Lindsey Langston, Miss United States 2024, who alleged he tried to blackmail her with revenge porn, claiming to have been in a relationship with him from November 2021 to February 2025.
A judge approved her plea for a restraining order against him.
Mills claimed last year that he was in the process of divorcing his wife.
The congressman, who was awarded the Bronze Star in 2021 for his military service, is also facing claims from several individuals who dispute his military record.
While other scandal-plagued former reps, including Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned this month amid an expulsion threat, Mills has remained defiant.
“Can you tell me what criminal or civil charges I have been charged with?” Mills shot back when grilled by a reporter about why he wasn’t stepping down, noting that he’s only facing accusations.
