Cory Mills defended his record and denied multiple allegations at a fiery Republican primary debate on August 5 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, as the embattled congressman faces a crowded field in his bid for a third term.
Mills, a Trump-backed combat veteran, confronted attacks from three challengers—former Fox 35 Orlando anchor Ryan Elijah, real estate agent Sarah Ulrich, and Army veteran Michael Don Johnson—over stolen valor claims, allegations that he converted to Islam, and reports of a Justice Department investigation.
The debate underscored the deep divisions within Florida’s Republican Party over Mills’ candidacy. Two fellow GOP representatives, Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, have recently endorsed Elijah, citing lost “trust and confidence” in Mills. Elijah highlighted the 20 endorsements he has secured in the past month as evidence of concern among party insiders.
Mills has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee since November 2025 over allegations of campaign finance violations, sexual misconduct, and dating violence stemming from a reported February 2025 domestic violence incident. The Justice Department is also conducting a criminal investigation into his finances and misconduct allegations, according to reporting from July 2026.
At the debate, Johnson pressed Mills on stolen valor allegations, claiming the congressman lied about heroic actions in Iraq that earned him a Bronze Star. “Stolen valor is a very, very important thing for me … that’s evil and nasty and wicked,” Johnson said. Mills responded by directing critics to examine his Official Military Personnel File and discharge paperwork from 2004, which he said documents his Bronze Star.
Ulrich challenged Mills over allegations that he married his ex-wife, an Iraq War refugee, in a mosque and converted to Islam. Mills denied both claims, stating he was married at a courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, and asserting, “I’m a proud Christian, I always have been.”
Elijah, the former newsman, made multiple references to the DOJ investigation, saying, “I can promise you, 100%, there is a DOJ investigation.” Mills dismissed the claim as “fake news” and questioned how an anonymous source could know more than House Speaker Mike Johnson and FBI Director Kash Patel, both of whom he said have denied knowledge of an active probe.
Mills closed his remarks by invoking his Trump endorsement and emphasizing that he has not been found guilty of any charges. “Three times I have been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump. He supports me. He trusts me, and I hope you will too,” he said.
The Republican primary for Florida’s 7th Congressional District is scheduled for August 18, 2026. Mills’ candidacy reflects broader tensions within the GOP as multiple Republican lawmakers face misconduct allegations heading into the midterm cycle, including Ohio Rep. Max Miller, who faces domestic abuse accusations, and North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards, who withdrew from his reelection bid after a House Ethics Committee investigation.
Sources
- New York Post — Mills’ debate responses to stolen valor, Islam conversion, and DOJ investigation claims
- Daytona Beach News-Journal — Debate overview and Mills’ demeanor after the event
- ABC7 News — House Ethics Committee investigation details and allegations
- NBC News — DOJ investigation and House Ethics Committee probe
- Fox News — GOP endorsements for Elijah and context on party divisions
- Click Orlando — DOJ investigation details and allegations
