BREAKING NEWS: The Republican lawmaker who cast the deciding vote to keep scandal-ridden Democratic ‘Squad’ Rep. Ilhan Omar on her committees has become the victim of a big dose of karma. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) won’t be returning to Congress in January-or maybe ever again. The equally scandal-plagued Mills lost his primary on Tuesday in Florida’s 7th District to Ryan Elijah, a former Orlando-area news anchor for FOX 35 and a one-time NFL sideline reporter.
Mills, who received a late endorsement from President Trump, is currently the subject of a federal and House Ethics Committee probe over allegations of sexual harassment. The result marked a significant upset for Mills, who entered primary night with sizable leads in several polls and the backing of one of the most sought-after endorsements in Republican politics. Despite those advantages, a months-long effort to remove Mills from Congress ultimately culminated in his primary defeat.
🚨 BREAKING: GOP Rep. Cory Mills, who cast the deciding vote AGAINST removing Ilhan Omar from her committees for justifying Charlie Kirk's murder, has LOST his primary to Ryan Elijah
Good riddance. Ilhan Omar should have ZERO committee positions, let alone a seat in Congress. pic.twitter.com/7ET3yrt4pQ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 19, 2026
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., had been among Mills’ most prominent Republican critics, previously leading an unsuccessful bipartisan effort to censure him. Mace also threatened to pursue his expulsion from the House before later backing away from that effort. She ultimately endorsed Elijah’s primary challenge against the Florida congressman, adding another prominent Republican voice to the campaign to defeat Mills.
🚨 NOW: Trump-endorsed Rep. Anna Paulina Luna WINS uncontested her GOP primary for FL-13 in Congress
Keep this seat RED! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1lgHb8cygw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 18, 2026
Republican Opposition Mounts Against Mills
Earlier this month, Florida Republican Reps. Mike Haridopolos and Anna Paulina Luna also threw their support behind Elijah, backing his primary challenge against Mills in their home state. The endorsements added to the Republican opposition Mills faced despite having President Donald Trump’s support in the race. Mills, a military veteran, repeatedly highlighted Trump’s endorsement on the campaign trail as he sought to fend off his challenger and push back against controversies that had followed his re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, Luna, the conservative Republican representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District, formally secured the Republican nomination Tuesday. Luna, an Air Force veteran who was first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, enters the general election as a proven conservative voice with deep ties to the MAGA movement and a track record of fighting for border security, election integrity, veterans, and limited government. Trump has thrown his full weight behind her re-election campaign.
In a recent endorsement, Trump described Luna as