<>
President Donald Trump reiterated his support for 15 Florida Republican members of the U.S. House seeking reelection, including embattled Rep. Cory Mills, according to reporting from Politico and The Hill. The endorsements arrive as Mills campaigns through a competitive primary while facing federal investigations and declining campaign funds.
Cory Mills Fends Off Primary Challenges Amid House Ethics Scrutiny
Rep. Cory Mills faces three Republican primary challengers in central Florida’s 7th Congressional District while under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, according to Politico. The House Ethics panel is probing whether Mills improperly benefited from federal government contracts. Mills has denied any wrongdoing and has defied calls from congressional colleagues to step down from his seat.
At a primary debate in New Smyrna Beach, Mills defended his record against the backdrop of his legal and political troubles, telling attendees, as reported by Politico, “I’m the only person who sits on this stage today who has been endorsed three times by President Donald J. Trump.” Mills has leaned heavily into that endorsement, featuring it in television advertisements and campaign messaging as he attempts to counter negative headlines.
Fundraising Strains and Democratic Targeting in Florida’s 7th District
Financial reports filed with federal election authorities show Mills maintaining less than $70,000 in his official campaign account, according to Politico. The Cook Political Report downgraded its rating for Florida’s 7th Congressional District from “solid” to “likely” Republican, signaling vulnerability ahead of the fall elections, as noted by The Hill.
Democrats view the district as a primary pickup opportunity to challenge the Republican House majority. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has lined up behind Bale Dalton, a military veteran and former chief of staff to former Sen. Bill Nelson, according to Politico. While former President Trump carried the district by more than 12 points during the 2024 cycle, local political dynamics and primary challenges continue to shape the race.
Broader Republican Endorsements Across Florida Contests
Aaron Bean, John Rutherford, Daniel Webster, Brian Mast, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Gimenez, according to The Hill. The series of endorsements covers 15 House members overall as candidates across the state prepare for upcoming primary decisions.