Two House Republicans are openly backing a primary challenger to embattled Florida Rep. Cory Mills, a sign of deepening intraparty turmoil as the GOP fights to hold its narrow majority in Congress. Reps. Mike Haridopolos of Florida and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida announced Wednesday that they support former sports reporter Ryan Elijah in the race for Florida's 7th Congressional District, urging fellow Republicans to rally behind him.
« Ryan Elijah is an excellent candidate and will ensure victory for us in Florida 7, » Haridopolos said. In a joint statement, the two lawmakers said they « urge our fellow Republicans to join us in supporting him. »
The endorsement comes just days before the Aug. 11 primary and puts Haridopolos and Luna at odds with President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Mills for re-election along with both lawmakers. Mills, a military veteran, is facing multiple investigations into his finances and allegations of domestic abuse, which he has repeatedly denied.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Mills is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice. He has maintained that he has done nothing wrong and dismissed reports of a DOJ probe as a « desperate lie » from his opponents. In a post on X late last month, Mills said he was not aware of any DOJ investigation and noted there had been no confirmation from the department or the FBI, adding that he would fully cooperate if one existed.
The intraparty fight reflects broader GOP anxiety about the upcoming midterm elections. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report earlier this year downgraded its projection for Mills' seat from « Solid R » to « Likely R, » and with a district rating of R+5, Democrats could mount a serious challenge in a difficult cycle for Republicans.
Republican concerns about holding the seat were echoed by a GOP source who told Fox News Digital that some Florida Republicans were worried about the party's chances if Mills won the primary. Mills is set to participate in a debate Wednesday night, giving voters a chance to see the candidates face off before the primary.
Mills is one of several House Republicans whose alleged misconduct has created headaches for the party on the campaign trail. Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina announced overnight that he would drop his re-election bid following an explosive report detailing sexual harassment accusations made by two young female staffers. Edwards has denied the accusations but acknowledged he sometimes made staff members feel uncomfortable.
Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, a former Trump aide, has also been accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and her father, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. Miller has denied any wrongdoing and asked the House Ethics Committee to open an investigation to clear his name. He has resisted pressure to leave the race, insisting he will win in November and arguing that the accusations are an attempt to derail his political career.
All three House seats are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's target list, meaning Democrats are expected to pour resources into those races. One House Republican, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all three lawmakers should step aside, adding, « We must lead by example. »
Another House GOP source described the situation as a « train wreck » in comments to Fox News Digital, underscoring the scale of the party's internal challenges as it seeks to retain control of the chamber.
