Rep. Cory Mills, a Florida Republican, lost his primary race on Tuesday, according to multiple news outlets. The Hill reported that Mills was defeated despite receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The loss comes as the congressman faced an ongoing House Ethics probe.
NPR confirmed that Mills failed in his bid to retain his House seat, describing the outcome as a defeat for the embattled lawmaker. Fox News also covered the result, noting that Trump's support was not enough to save the scandal-plagued representative in the primary. ABC News projected Mills would lose his reelection bid, while The New York Times published live election results for the Florida Seventh Congressional District primary.
The primary was held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Mills' defeat marks a significant political setback, given the weight of a presidential endorsement in a Republican primary. The House Ethics investigation into Mills was a central issue in the race, according to the reports.
The exact margin of victory and the name of Mills' opponent were not detailed in the available reporting. The Hill's coverage focused on the combination of the ethics probe and the primary challenge that ultimately ended Mills' congressional career.
Mills' loss signals that ethical concerns can outweigh party loyalty among primary voters, even when a prominent figure like Trump backs a candidate. The outcome also reshapes the race for the general election in the district, which will now proceed without the incumbent.
What to watch next: Whether the House Ethics Committee releases its findings on Mills before his term ends, and how the Republican nominee fares in the November general election.
