Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.) recently questioned his former opponent, Ryan Elijah, about his stance on insider trading in Congress amid reports of Elijah’s recent stock trade disclosures.
Rep. Mills commented on the Florida District 7 challenger’s recent X post, which listed Elijah’s priorities upon entering office, which included “banning insider stock trading in Congress.”
Our community needs a forward-thinking representative who will be their voice in Washington.
Early voting starts next week. https://t.co/2IEINPzyC2— Ryan Elijah (@RyanElijah) October 12, 2026
“Will you and your spouse commit to not stock trading while in office, as I did?” Rep. Mills asked. “I never bought, sold, or traded a single stock in office.”
“It’s hard to say you support banning stock trading in Congress but signed on the official form ‘yes’ to planning to trade stocks,” Rep. Mills said.
Elijah Affirms He Signed To Be Fully Transparent
Elijah fired back at Rep. Mills, assuring that he does not intend to trade stock while in office.
“It’s not hard. I checked the box out of ‘full transparency’ because I wasn’t positive how my retirement account would be handled (others did also),” Elijah wrote. “I do not intend to trade stocks.”
Mills Scrutinizes Elijah's Response
However, Elijah’s answer didn’t satisfy the Congressman.
“Intent is not the same as a pledge to Florida’s 7th not to trade or play the [Nancy] Pelosi game by putting in your wife’s name.”
Florida's "Form Of Candidate Oath" Law
The official form Congressman Mills refers to is Florida’s recently passed “Form of Candidate Oath” law.
The statute states that any candidate seeking federal office must state in writing whether they intend to trade stocks in any manner that doesn’t limit their ability to manage their assets while in office.
Reports of Elijah's Disclosure
According to The Washington Sun (The Sun), Elijah checked the box indicating he does plan to trade stock if elected to Congress.
Elijah gave the outlet the same answer he gave Rep. Mills, saying he filled it out for “full transparency” because of the uncertainty about his retirement account.
“Full disclosure, I probably wish I would’ve just checked ‘no,’ but I still think it’s the most honest answer to check ‘yes,’” Elijah told The Sun.
