New Smyrna Beach – Despite being in the spotlight for ongoing controversies and facing increased scrutiny from congressional challengers for not dropping out of the race, incumbent Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.) showed up to the highly anticipated congressional debate for Florida’s 7th Congressional District’s Republican Primary in an effort to defend his seat for the upcoming midterm general election.
Things have not been looking great for the two-term incumbent as he faces an ongoing House of Representatives Ethics Committee investigation, a recent alleged Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal investigation, and has secured less than $60,000 in campaign financing over the last three months.
Challenges by Opponents
The New Smyrna Beach Congressman also faced public pressure from his Floridian Republican colleagues in office, as Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) announced their endorsements for FL CD 7 challenger and former TV anchor Ryan Elijah, just hours before the debate.
During the debate, Elijah took the opportunity to question Mills about an alleged restraining order against him by his previous partner, whether he’s received an exoneration letter from the DOJ regarding the probe, and about rumors that the incumbent threatened to break party lines on votes on the House floor.
Additionally, Rep. Mills faced outcries from challenger Michael Don Johnson over “Boogie Woogie” concerns such as his previous marriage, his alleged involvement in arms deals with Ukraine, his alleged stolen valor, and accusations that he is a false Republican and Donald Trump supporter.
Business leader Sarah Ulrich also questioned the incumbent Congressman on his alleged ties to the Muslim religion, his first wedding, and skepticism about his role in office.
“I’m just curious. What makes you such an awesome rockstar in Congress, that this many people want to come after you with false accusations, because usually that’s when something happens when you’re really moving and shaking getting something done,” Ulrich asked.
Mills' Asserts His Prominence
“When you’re the third-lowest Republican seat in the state of Florida, and you lead the entire state in constituent services, when you flip this seat from blue to red which makes it a target, when you fight for President Trump and even though it’s an R+5 [district], I vote like it’s an R+35 [district]; And that’s because I believe in the constitutional principles, I don’t back down, and they want to eliminate people like that because they want swampy people who will continue to go to the lobbies and get the money exactly how you talked about and come in here and exactly what they want, and not what the American people and not what their constituents want,” Rep. Mills asserted.
“That’s why they want to ruin me, that’s why they want me out, and that’s why there hasn’t ever been any charges found guilty, only accusations and allegations. Same thing they did to President J. Trump,” he affirmed.
