For decades, Florida — not unlike Pennsylvania — had a reputation for being a volatile swing state that could go either red or blue in statewide elections. Former President George W. Bush won Florida twice, but so did his Democratic successor, former President Barack Obama.
In 2025, however, Republicans seriously dominate Florida politics — especially MAGA Republicans. And the Sunshine State is a who’s-who of MAGA, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (former Florida state attorney general), Sen. Rick Scott, conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, and President Donald Trump himself. U.S. Rep. Cory Mills is another Florida-based MAGA rock star, but according to the Daily Beast’s Ewan Palmer, he is so controversial and scandal-ridden that even Republicans find him worrisome.
Mills was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 via Florida’s 7th Congressional District, where he flipped a seat formerly held by Democrat Stephanie Murphy (who decided not to seek reelection). And he has been reliably MAGA in his voting record.
READ MORE: ‘Very jealous’: Trump ally says White House secretly ‘can’t stand’ this MAGA congresswoman
But Palmer reports that Mills’ colleagues “are concerned for his future” in light of the troubling allegations he is facing.
“The Republican is grappling with another scandal after his former girlfriend accused him of harassment in the wake of their breakup, including threats to leak sexual videos he had of her,” Palmer explains. “Mills has been hit with a slew of controversies, including claims he owed tens of thousands in rent at his D.C. apartment, allegations he assaulted a woman he was dating there in February 2025, and questions about whether he should have been awarded a Bronze Star for bravery during the Iraq War in 2023.”
Palmer adds, “Mills has denied the allegations as ‘false,’ with a spokesperson for the lawmaker telling the Daily Beast they are ‘just another sorry attempt to smear Mills.’”
Palmer notes, however, that three GOP lawmakers recently interviewed by Politico fear that the allegations are troubling enough to sink him politically — even in a state as red as Florida. One of them told Politico, “What if he is arrested for real?”
READ MORE: The one big reason why most Republicans are acting irrationally — without consequences
The Daily Beast journalist reports, “Others are wondering if Mills’ seat in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, which is up for grabs in next year’s midterm elections, is in danger of being flipped by the Democrats and asking if the GOP should be looking for a replacement Republican candidate…. Lindsey Langston, the reigning Miss United States beauty pageant winner, filed a police report against Mills, accusing him of threatening behavior after their three-year relationship ended in February. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Daily Beast that they received a report and sent it on to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for review.”
READ MORE: ‘What if he is arrested?’ GOP lawmakers worried new allegations may sink rep’s reelection
Read the Daily Beast’s full article at this link (subscription required).