The Republican lawmaker who cast the deciding vote to keep scandal-ridden Democratic ‘Squad’ Rep. Ilhan Omar on her committees has become the victim of a big dose of karma.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) won’t be returning to Congress in January—or maybe ever again.
The equally scandal-plagued Mills lost his primary on Tuesday in Florida’s 7th District to Ryan Elijah, a former Orlando-area news anchor for FOX 35 and a one-time NFL sideline reporter.
Mills, who received a late endorsement from President Trump, is currently the subject of a federal and House Ethics Committee probe over allegations of sexual harassment.
The result marked a significant upset for Mills, who entered primary night with sizable leads in several polls and the backing of one of the most sought-after endorsements in Republican politics.
Despite those advantages, a months-long effort to remove Mills from Congress ultimately culminated in his primary defeat.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., had been among Mills’ most prominent Republican critics, previously leading an unsuccessful bipartisan effort to censure him.
Mace also threatened to pursue his expulsion from the House before later backing away from that effort.
She ultimately endorsed Elijah’s primary challenge against the Florida congressman, adding another prominent Republican voice to the campaign to defeat Mills.
Earlier this month, Florida Republican Reps. Mike Haridopolos and Anna Paulina Luna also threw their support behind Elijah, backing his primary challenge against Mills in their home state.
The endorsements added to the Republican opposition Mills faced despite having President Donald Trump’s support in the race.
Mills, a military veteran, repeatedly highlighted Trump’s endorsement on the campaign trail as he sought to fend off his challenger and push back against controversies that had followed his re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, Luna, the conservative Republican representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District, formally secured the Republican nomination Tuesday.
Luna, an Air Force veteran who was first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, enters the general election as a proven conservative voice with deep ties to the MAGA movement and a track record of fighting for border security, election integrity, veterans, and limited government.
Trump has thrown his full weight behind her re-election campaign.
In a recent endorsement, Trump described Luna as “an America First Patriot and Tremendous Champion for the wonderful people of Florida’s 13th Congressional District,” calling her “a true MAGA Warrior” who is “working tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our incredible Military/Veterans, Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
Trump declared her “a very good friend, fighter, and WINNER” with his “Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election,” urging voters that she “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”
Team Trump amplified the message ahead of primary day, highlighting Luna among Trump-endorsed candidates.
Local Republican leaders have also rallied around the incumbent. Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters praised Luna for consistently putting the district first.
“Time and again, Congresswoman Luna has proven that she puts Pinellas County and Florida’s 13th Congressional District first,” Peters said.
Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott noted that Luna “doesn’t just talk about serving our community; she gets the job done.”
State Rep. Berny Jacques called her “a fearless champion for the people of Pinellas County” whose work on conservative values, government accountability, transparency, and results for veterans and working families has made a real difference.
Luna’s background reflects the hard-fought path of a conservative outsider.
Born in California in 1989 to a family that faced significant challenges, including her father’s struggles with substance abuse, she rose through service in the U.S. Air Force from 2009 to 2018 as an airfield management specialist, earning the Air Force Achievement Medal.
After her military service, she directed Hispanic engagement for Turning Point USA, chaired Hispanic initiatives at PragerU, and became a vocal advocate against human trafficking and open borders.