Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) came under sustained fire Wednesday during a Republican primary debate in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, as challengers confronted him over allegations ranging from “stolen valor” to a reported Justice Department investigation and claims that he converted to Islam.
Mills, who is already the subject of a House Ethics Committee inquiry into what the panel has described as “serious and complex” allegations, including domestic assault, repeatedly pushed back during the debate and forcefully denied wrongdoing. His opponents, however, warned that the controversies surrounding him could jeopardize the GOP’s hold on the seat in November.
“This isn’t personal for me. I’m in it so we don’t lose this seat,” Ryan Elijah, a former Orlando television news anchor now challenging Mills, told voters during the debate.
Elijah pointed to what he described as growing Republican concern over Mills, highlighting 20 endorsements he said he has secured in the past month from figures including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) — supporters who, he said, have “lost trust and confidence” in the incumbent.
“There is a reason we have never seen this running against an incumbent – so many people have endorsed someone – it’s because they know what’s coming, and I’m telling you … if you look the other way, we are going to get a huge surprise in November,” Elijah said, urging Republican voters not to ignore the risks.
Throughout the exchange, Elijah repeatedly alluded to reports that Mills is under investigation by the Justice Department.
“I would never go without a source,” the former broadcaster said. “I can promise you, 100%, there is a DOJ investigation.”
Mills rejected the allegation, calling it “fake news” and saying he had no knowledge of any active Justice Department inquiry. He also cited alleged comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and FBI Director Kash Patel, saying both had indicated they were unaware of any active investigation.
“The bottom line is that how is it that this one anonymous source knows more than the most powerful men on earth? That in itself should raise questions,” Mills argued.
Another 7th District congressional hopeful, Army veteran and longtime Department of Defense official Michael Don Johnson, hammered Mills on his own service record.
“This is personal with me. Stolen valor is a very, very important thing for me … that’s evil and nasty and wicked,” Johnson said, claiming Mills lied about heroic actions in Iraq that resulted in a Bronze Star being awarded to him.
Mills denied embellishing his military service.
“When it comes to stolen valor, go look at my [Official Military Personnel File] file. Go look at my [active duty discharge paperwork] from 2004, which shows my Bronze Star there and then shows it again in 2024,” he responded.
Sarah Ulrich, a self-described political outsider challenging Mills, pressed the congressman on allegations he married his ex-wife, an Iraq War refugee, in a mosque and converted to Islam.
“We were actually married at the Fairfax (Va.) courthouse,” the congressman responded.
“I’m a proud Christian, I always have been,” Mills asserted. ‘We can go ahead and say the Lord’s Prayer all we want right now.”
Johnson, unsatisfied with Mills’ answer, later held up a document which he claimed showed the congressman was married at a mosque and underwent “Islamic training to be a good Muslim husband.”
“Bottom line is that if they saw me eat as many bacon sandwiches as I eat they wouldn’t have that same outcome,” Mills shot back, calling Johnson’s claim “nonsense.”
Mills closed by noting he’s been endorsed by President Trump in the Aug. 18 primary and hasn’t been found guilty “of anything.”
“The reality is this: every allegation, every accusation, we can accuse people and allege anything, but one thing I’ve not been found of is guilty, of anything, and that right there should serve itself,” he said.
“I stand by one thing,” Mills added. “Three times I have been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump. He supports me. He trusts me, and I hope you will too.”
