Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly distanced himself from Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), pointedly declaring, I do not support the embattled congressmans bid for re-election.
According to Mediaite, Mills, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is heading into a crowded Aug. 18 Republican primary under a cloud of allegations and investigations. The first-term lawmaker has been hit with accusations of domestic violence and harassment, claims of stolen valor from fellow veterans, questions surrounding his business dealings and financial disclosures, and an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe, though Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
The controversies have eroded Mills backing among key Republicans in Florida, signaling a serious fracture within the states GOP delegation. Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) have thrown their support behind former television journalist Ryan Elijah, Mills chief primary rival, while Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) has publicly rebuked Mills over allegations raised by his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston.
Adding to the pressure, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) moved in November 2025 to formally rebuke Mills on the House floor, introducing a resolution to censure the congressman. That step underscored how far concerns about Mills conduct have spread beyond Florida, even as some party leaders in Washington have urged patience and due process.
DeSantis remarks came during a speech at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, where a reporter pressed him on the race. Clarifying the subject, DeSantis said, So this is a question about the 7th congressional district Republican primary.
He then made his position unmistakable, stating, Um, I have not, uh, endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills. After a brief silence from the audience, the governor closed the exchange with, Okay. God bless everybody. Great to see you. Take care, before leaving the podium.
In taking this stance, DeSantis is openly diverging from President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, both of whom have been more cautious about sidelining Mills and other Republicans facing serious accusations. Johnson, asked in July about Mills and Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who has also confronted domestic abuse allegations, responded, Well, the key word there is allegation. We have a process here the House Ethics Committee works on those things. If allegations are made, they work through a process, emphasizing institutional procedure even as grassroots conservatives weigh character, accountability, and the future direction of the party.
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