New Smyrna Beach – Tensions were high throughout the highly anticipated congressional debate among Republican primary candidates in Florida’s 7th District (FL CD 7) as incumbent Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.) faced off against former Orlando Matters host Ryan Elijah, business leader Sarah Ulrich, and veteran Michael Don Johnson.
Throughout the debate, candidates took the opportunity to discuss several issues, including election integrity, affordability, foreign policy, military action, and President Donald Trump’s policy initiatives.
All eyes were on Rep. Mills as the incumbent congressman faced scrutiny for several controversies, including alleged stolen valor, his House of Representatives Ethics investigation, and an alleged Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal investigation.
Johnson, however, stole the show as he blatantly attacked Congressman Mills over "Boogie Woogie" concerns, for allegedly converting to Islam, and for accusing the Representative of being a false Republican and a false Trump supporter.
Questions on Election Integrity
The Floridian publisher and moderator Javier Manjarres asked the candidates about their views on the outcome of the 2020 Presidential Election.
All candidates agreed on the necessity of election integrity measures such as the SAVE America Act, with Mills, Elijah, and Johnson explicitly arguing that former President Joe Biden did not receive more votes than President Trump.
When asked about compromising with Democrats to ensure the SAVE America Act passes, both Ulrich and Elijah emphasized the willingness to work across the aisle.
Johnson argued that Republicans could figure it out on their own, while Congressman Mills – who has been in congress since 2022 – argued that working with Democrats is not feasible.
Ulrich Probes Mills' and Elijah Mid Debate
Despite being sidelined by Congressman Mills and Elijah’s ongoing feud, and Johnson’s extraordinary responses, Ulrich still managed to apply pressure on both the incumbent and the former news anchor, questioning Mills about his past marriage and Elijah’s connections in Washington.
Mills fired back by affirming that he married his ex-wife in the Fairfax, Virginia courthouse and that his actions in his past marriage were to protect his previous partner, who was being persecuted by Islamic factions in Iraq.
Elijah responded by assuring Ulrich that he had not made a promise to any individual and that there was nothing wrong with having “strong relationships in our nation’s capital.”
Candidates' Reasons To Unseat Mills
All the candidates shared similar views on issues such as aid to Israel, immigration, the Trump administration’s economic policies, measures to limit the federal government’s power, and cultural issues such as combating antisemitism.
Both Ulrich and Elijah affirmed that, despite sharing views with incumbent Mills, they are running against the Congressman to prevent a potential Democratic flip in the General election; Johnson, however, argued that his run against Mills was far more personal than his challengers.
