Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated he's not backing or supporting congressional candidate Cory Mills in his District 7 Republican primary race while taking while taking questions at a press conference at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.
"I have not endorsed Corey Mills, and I do not support Corey Mills," DeSantis said.
The response comes after President Donald Trump did not re-affirm his support of Rep. Mills in a string of endorsements on Truth Social earlier this week. Mills has come under fire for his alleged conduct in Congress.
President Donald Trump previously endorsed Rep. Mills his race in February 2026. Mills, first elected to CD 7 in 2022, echoed Trump's support during a District 7 congressional debate earlier this month.
Mills also expressed gratitude for the president's endorsement just days ago.
"Proud to be the ONLY candidate endorsed by President Trump. We have been endorsed by district officials and members who support and stand with President Trump," Mills wrote.
The backtrack didn't stop one of Rep. Mills' Republican congressional opponents, Ryan Elijah, from taking notice. Elijah, a former TV news anchor, is within single digits of Mills according to a recent Victory Insights poll in August.
"President Trump released his list of endorsements. He reposted them for Republicans up for election in Congress — even those without a primary. He did not post an endorsement for Cory Mills," Elijah wrote.
Notably, Mills is still ahead in the poll. He also holds a double-digit lead over Elijah from a St. Petersburg Poll taken a few days prior.
Will Mills hold on, or will Elijah catch him?
Elijah also reposted the clip of Gov. DeSantis refusing his own support. And while DeSantis did not throw his hat behind Elijah, the Republican hopeful has been endorsed by several high-profile congressional officials, including Reps. Anna Paulina-Luna (R-FL) and Mike Haridopolos (R-FL).
The primary is Aug. 18.
