The Republican congressional primary race to replace retiring Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) has begun to heat up, as combat veteran Cory Mills is calling out firebrand State Rep. Anthony Sabatini for skipping votes in order to campaign for Congress.
Mills, who tweeted one of Rep. Sabatini’s missed votes on Thursday from a picture he took from inside the state House chamber, said that he was “honored to have spent time with legislators” to discuss current state issues.
"I’m honored to have spent time with legislators at the Florida Capitol over the past few days to discuss FL concerns. Once again, @AnthonySabatini was a no show to votes. FL and US Congress does not need absentee elected officials unwilling to do what they elected to do,” stated Mills.
Mills then tweeted another jab at his Republican primary opponent, pointing to the fact that Sabatini went to Wyoming instead of doing the job he was elected to do.
Seems some elected FL State Rep decides going to Wyoming is more important than doing his job while FL Capitol is in session voting. Even worse, he’s only person not to show up! America needs America First patriots who will show up to fight. Not absentee votes pic.twitter.com/trqielHDVA
— Cory Mills 🍊 (@CoryMillsFL) February 10, 2022
“Seems some elected FL State Rep decides going to Wyoming is more important than doing his job while FL Capitol is in session voting,” added Mills. Even worse, he’s only person not to show up! America needs America First patriots who will show up to fight. Not absentee votes.”
Mills was responding to a tweet Sabatini posted of him and fellow Republican congressional Joe Kent in Wyoming standing in front of the Dick Cheney Federal Building in Casper, Wyoming.
“Out here in Wyoming and just found the first building that @joekent16jan19 and I are filing legislation to have decommissioned & demolished when we get to Congress,” tweeted Sabatini.
According to his social media, Mills was endorsed by State Senator Tom Wright (R) was also recognized by Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R) from the floor of the House of Representatives
I was honored to be recognized at the Florida Capitol by a fellow patriot. @MikeGiallombar3 comes from a lineage of patriots. His dad served in Vietnam and likewise Mike served in Iraq, and continues to serve. Thank you for continuing your service in and out of uniform. #FLpol pic.twitter.com/ecui0PklY9
— Cory Mills 🍊 (@CoryMillsFL) February 10, 2022
Both Mills and Sabatini are running as America First/ Trump candidates and trying to solidify themselves as the true Conservative in the race to replace Rep.Murphy.
But while he continues to miss votes due to campaigning, Sabatini is touting his strong conservative voting record with Club for Growth and the American Conservative Union (ACU), which has come out and endorsed Mills.
This primary race appears to be on the verge of blowing up, as Floridians await the new redistricting maps, all indications point to District 7 moving northeast, encompassing just about all of Seminole County and part of Volusia County.
Neither Mills nor Sabatini live in the new proposed district and would not enjoy any kind of name recognition with voters. One of the other Republicans in the race, Scott Sturgill, could have a small advantage considering that he resides in Seminole and has run several unsuccessful races there.
The other candidates in the race are Erika Benfield, Jeremy Liggett, and former Navy Seal Brady Duke.
