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Cory Mills’ Downfall Came From Inside the House

GOP leaders and the White House backed Rep. Cory Mills’ reelection bid despite a string of scandals, but one of his colleagues believed he could pose a threat to the majority.

Rep. Mike Haridopolos

Rep. Mike Haridopolos worked behind the scenes to recruit a challenger to fellow Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

By Reese Gorman

August 19, 2026 08:45 a.m.

As allegations of sexual misconduct, questions about his military record and campaign finance violations surrounded Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills, House Republican leadership, the White House and the majority of the GOP conference publicly stayed behind him.

But Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a freshman member of the Florida delegation, grew concerned.

He worked behind the scenes to recruit a primary challenger in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, and despite little public support from Republican colleagues, he helped engineer Mills’ defeat.