Republican divisions are spilling into the midterm campaign trail in Florida, where two House GOP lawmakers have endorsed a challenger to Rep. Cory Mills as the incumbent faces multiple investigations and allegations he strongly denies. Reps. Mike Haridopolos and Anna Paulina Luna announced Wednesday that they are backing Ryan Elijah, a former local television anchor, for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, and they urged fellow Republicans to join them. «Ryan Elijah is an excellent candidate and will ensure victory for us in Florida 7,» Haridopolos said.
Haridopolos said he planned to attend the debate Wednesday night and sit next to Elijah’s wife, a visible sign of support for the challenger. The endorsement reflects private concern among some Florida Republicans about whether Mills can hold the seat in a difficult cycle. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has already moved the district from «Solid R» to «Likely R,» a warning sign for the party in a district with a Cook rating of R+5.
Mills pushed back in a statement, noting that President Donald Trump has endorsed him three times. «I’m the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Donald Trump,» Mills said. «The fact is, my office has returned more than $107 million to the people of the 7th District of Florida, led Florida in constituent services, built one of the strongest conservative voting records in Congress, and flipped this district from blue to red, and kept it red. My record speaks for itself.»
The incumbent is facing scrutiny on several fronts. He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, and a person familiar with the matter said the Department of Justice has also opened an inquiry. Mills has consistently denied wrongdoing and dismissed reports of a federal probe as a «desperate lie» from his opponents. In a social media post late last month, he said his office was not aware of any DOJ investigation, that neither the DOJ nor the FBI had confirmed one, and that he would fully cooperate if an investigation existed.
Mills is not the only House Republican whose conduct is creating problems on the campaign trail. Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina announced he would drop his re-election bid after a report detailed accusations of sexual harassment by two young female staffers. Edwards denied those accusations but admitted he had at times made staff members feel uncomfortable. Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, a former Trump aide, has been accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller has denied any wrongdoing, asked the House Ethics Committee to open an investigation to clear his name, and resisted calls to exit his race, saying the accusations are an attempt to derail his political career.
One House GOP source described the situation as a «train wreck,» and a House Republican who was granted anonymity to speak freely said all three incumbents should drop out. «We must lead by example,» the lawmaker said. All three seats are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target list, meaning Democrats are pouring money and resources into those races.
The race is unfolding as Republicans fight an uphill battle to keep control of Congress during the latter half of President Donald Trump’s term. Trump has endorsed Mills, Haridopolos and Luna for re-election, yet Haridopolos and Luna are now backing Elijah in the primary. The Florida intraparty fight is the latest sign of friction that could complicate the party’s efforts in a politically competitive district.
