Ryan Elijah, a former news anchor, is projected to win the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District in Florida, defeating the scandal-plagued incumbent, Rep. Cory Mills.
Mills was seen as one of the most vulnerable incumbent House Republicans in Florida. He faces allegations of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, campaign finance violations and misrepresenting his military service. He has denied wrongdoing and suggested that the accusations are politically motivated.
A political newcomer, Elijah did not make Mills’ controversies the centerpiece of his campaign, though he has called the allegations against the congressman “serious.”
Elijah entered the Tuesday primary in a strong position. He won endorsements from Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos. Gov. Ron DeSantis last week emphatically declined to endorse Mills.
And while Mills was endorsed by Donald Trump in February, the president had since remained silent on that race. On Truth Social on Monday night, he posted endorsements for all incumbent Florida House Republicans except Mills.
Democrats had hoped to flip the seat in November if Mills won his primary. But with Elijah as the GOP nominee, the seat in deep-red Florida will likely remain Republican.
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