Trump’s support doesn’t save scandal-plagued lawmaker in primary

This post was originally published on this site.

PresidentDonald Trump’sendorsement was not enough to save one scandal-plagued Florida congressman Tuesday night.

Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla., lost his bid for a third term representing the Sunshine State’s7th Congressional Districtas a House Ethics Committee investigation and alleged federal probe weighed down his candidacy.

WATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS ‘POLITICAL OP’ AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARY

Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla., talks to reporters at the U.S.Capitol on April 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Elijah lives in Seminole County with his wife, where the pair raised their two sons, according to his campaign website.

The win is undoubtedly an upset victory against Mills, who held a sizable lead in multiple polls leading up to primary night and earned the most important and coveted endorsement in GOP politics.

But the effort tooust Mills from Congresshas lasted months and was ultimately successful.

Rep.Nancy Mace, R-S.C., led a failed bipartisan effort to censure Mills and threatened to push for his expulsion, though she later backed off the latter measure.She also endorsed Elijah’s bid against the Florida lawmaker.

President Donald Trump wearing a white hat with gold

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One Aug.9, 2026, at Morristown Airport in Morristown, N.J.(Eric Lee/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Reps.Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced they were alsoendorsing Elijah over Millsin a race for the seat in their home state.

Mills, a military veteran, referenced his Trump endorsement several times on the campaign trail as he downplayed scandals plaguing his bid to keep his job.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM

Rep. Mike Haridopolos walks away from a meeting while holding papers outside the Capitol Hill Club.

Rep.Mike Haridopolos leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on June 10, 2025.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Mills is the latest in a string ofHouse Republicansto fall amid scandals in recent months.

Rep.Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid in the wake of an explosive House Ethics Committee report that accused him of harassing two young female staffers.

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

House Democrats also targeted Mills as a potential vulnerability for the GOP in the 2026 midterms.It’s not clear if they will put the same focus on Elijah now that he ousted the embattled congressman.

Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.com