Rep Cory Mills draws first Republican challenger as sexual misconduct allegations, expulsion threat mount

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House ethics probes mount as Democrat rep resigns, GOP rep faces expulsion vote

Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigns just before her expulsion hearing, facing ethics probes.This news leads to discussions about other members of Congress facing scrutiny, including Republican Rep.Cory Mills and Democrat Rep.Ilhan Omar.Mills faces a potential expulsion vote over domestic violence allegations, while Omar’s financial disclosures and alleged marriage fraud are under investigation.

Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla., a scandal-plagued lawmaker facing bipartisan calls to resign, drew a GOP challenger Tuesday who threatens to scramble his re-election bid.

� central Florida House seat, vowing to defeat the embattled incumbent in the Sunshine State’s August primary.

com/politics/nancy-mace-moves-expel-fellow-republican-cory-mills-setting-rare-house-vote-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegations of sexual misconductand campaign finance violations, among other improprieties.

“People in the Seventh District want another choice,” Elijah said in an interview.

Republican House candidate Ryan Elijah, left, attends a UFL event.(Ryan Elijah campaign)

RESIGNATION IS THE NEW ESCAPE HATCH AS LAWMAKERS FACE EXPULSION

Elijah called the allegations against Mills “serious” and said the House Ethics Committee should continue its investigation into the incumbent’s alleged misconduct.The panel announced last week that its only active investigation related to “sexual misconduct and/or dating violence” is the Mills probe.

The committee has not indicated when it plans to wrap up its investigation into Mills, which began in November.

Mills allegedly threatened to release nude images and videos of an ex-girlfriend after their relationship ended, leading a judge to bar him from contacting that individual.He was also involved in an alleged domestic violence incident that drew a police response in Washington, D.C., last year.

The incumbent has denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged.

“I’ve never been indicted for anything,�“Everything has just been an accusation, allegation.”

Rep. Cory Mills speaking outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City

Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla., drew a GOP challenger on Tuesday as he vies for a third House term.(David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

HOUSE REPUBLICAN TO MOVE TO CENSURE DEM ACCUSED OF STEALING DISASTER RELIEF MONEY FOR CAMPAIGN

Elijah, a 20-year Florida resident, said he decided to challenge Mills after receiving “overwhelming support” from community leaders in the district to jump into the race.

He also characterized Mills as vulnerable in a general election setting who could put the GOP in danger of losing the Republican-leaning district in November’smidterm elections.Democrats are notably targeting Mills’ seat as a top flip opportunity in the Sunshine State.

“There’s obviously a chance we could lose the seat,” Elijah said, if Mills is the Republican nominee.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report downgraded Mills’ re-election bid from “solid” to “likely” Republican in February.

Mills’ campaign entered April with just over $115,000 in the bank and is more than $2 million in debt, according to recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.

Former NASA chief of staff Bale Dalton, Mills’ leading Democratic challenger, ended 2026’s first fundraising quarter with $464,000 in cash on hand.

Mills is running for a third House term with PresidentDonald Trump’sendorsement, which can be consequential in competitive GOP primaries.

Elijah said he would still vie for the president’s support.

“I’m not going against the president’s endorsement or even going against the party.I’m going for both of those,�“Right now, I’m just focused on getting out of the gate and just talking to people, and we’ll see where those chips fall.”

Swalwell, Gonzales, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Cory Mills

Former Reps.Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., and Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla., have all been hit with allegations of misconduct during their time in office.The former three resigned to fend off rare expulsion votes.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images | Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images | Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

Mills is also facing apotential expulsion threatfrom Rep.Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has yet to force a vote on her removal measure.

Three House members facing misconduct allegations resigned from Congress earlier in April to avoid potential expulsion votes.Those lawmakers were former Reps.Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla.

Mace’s measure accuses Mills of misrepresenting hismilitary serviceand of illicit involvement in federal contracts as a sitting lawmaker, in addition to alleged sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.

“This guy has no place in Congress, especially if you’re a woman, especially if you’re a military vet, what he’s done is shameful, and at some point we have to take responsibility for ourselves,�“If we’re going to hold the left accountable, we’ve got to hold the right accountable too.”

Asked whether Mills should resign, Elijah said members of Congress could force the issue.

“There’s been a lot of calls for him to resign.He obviously decided he wasn’t going to,” Elijah said.“He was going to fight it out at this point.So I think his fate is in the hands of Congress.”

� campaign for comment.