Republican nominee for Florida’s 7th Congressional District (FL CD 7), Ryan Elijah, was recently probed about his campaign-financing strategy after records revealed he hired a fundraising firm tied to Democratic gubernatorial runner-up and former Republican congressman David Jolly.
$5,000 to Jolly's Formerly Hired Fundraising Duo
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, Elijah’s campaign paid $5,000 for "fundraising consulting" to a company titled Florida Finance Strategies on Aug. 3, 2026.
Florida’s Division of Corporations records show that Kristopher Money and Paul McCarley own the firm; however, investigative journalist Laura Loomer reported that fundraising duo Money and Trey McCarley run it.
The duo has worked on campaigns for then-Republican David Jolly’s 2016 U.S. Senate run and former Florida governor Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential bid.
Loomer: "Is That Bad Judgment" or Is His Loyalty Elsewhere?
“There are a lot of MAGA fundraisers in Florida, which makes this selection odd,” Loomer questioned Elijah. “Is that bad judgment, or does it tell you where his loyalties are?”
“These days, it could be both.”
Elijah Sets the Record Straight
Elijah responded, clarifying why he hired the duo instead of other campaign fundraising firms.
“I have told this story many times,” Elijah said. “*No fundraiser would work with us in the primary because we were running against an incumbent.”
“It was one of the few things in the primary that surprised me. Trey’s team came in and did a great job for us.”
Mills Takes Chance to Throw Jabs
Incumbent Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.) also took the chance to jab at Elijah, calling out the Republican runner-up on several issues.
“He also alleged the 2020 elections weren’t stolen, declaring in his filing that he will trade stocks in office, and he’s currently under investigation for falsifying financial disclosures,” Mills wrote.
Elijah did not respond.
Could These Acts Harm Elijah's Bid?
As early voting begins in Florida and Republicans fend off a potential blue wave in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, the question now is whether reports like Loomer’s and attacks from Mills will hurt Elijah’s effort or do nothing because of his momentum.
