Trump Ditches Endorsed Candidate After Primary Loss

Ryan Elijah won the Florida GOP primary Tuesday, defeating two-term incumbent Rep. Cory Mills in a race shaped by allegations of dating violence and misconduct.

• 46.9% went to Elijah; Mills received 34.4% with 82% of ballots counted.
• A Florida judge granted a restraining order against Mills in October 2025 for dating violence protection.
• The Justice Department reportedly opened a criminal investigation into Mills in July; Mills denied knowledge of it.
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and GOP Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos each backed Elijah over Mills.

Why it matters: Mills' loss ends a tenure defined by overlapping investigations. The Ethics Committee authorized more than 20 subpoenas and contacted dozens of witnesses.

• Mills becomes the fourth House member this year to lose his seat after allegations of misconduct against women.
• Democrats view Elijah's November race against Dalton as a potential pickup opportunity in a district that has leaned reliably Republican.

How 39 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage divides on whether the race primarily illustrates accountability for personal misconduct or a broader pattern of Trump endorsements failing in 2026 primaries.

What’s next: Elijah faces Democrat Bale Dalton, a former NASA chief of staff, in November.

• The House Ethics Committee investigation into Mills remains open; no criminal charges have been filed.
• Will the Justice Department's reported criminal investigation into Mills result in charges after he leaves office?
• Can Elijah hold the seat in November against Democrat Bale Dalton, given Democratic optimism about the race?