Some Republican lawmakers are privately weighing whether Rep. Cory Mills' (R–Fla.) latest controversy has become too politically risky to ignore, Politico reported Wednesday.
These concerns stem from a string of allegations against the Florida Republican, including an eviction notice, assault claims and now an alleged threat to release nude videos of his former partner. One of three unnamed GOP lawmakers told Politico: "What if he is arrested for real?"
The report further noted that President Donald Trump carried Mills’ district by about 12 percentage points in the last election, and Mills himself won reelection by an even slightly larger margin. Since national GOP strategists consider his seat secure, there’s currently little incentive for leaders to intervene as the allegations circulate, per the report.
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Mills has denied any impropriety regarding a contracting issue, which is currently under review by the House Ethics Committee. He has also rejected the newer allegations of personal threats — first surfaced in a July police report and made public this week. The third allegation was eventually dropped after the ex‑girlfriend who initially claimed assault in February withdrew her statements.
According to the report, although GOP leaders seem willing to give Mills some space, others see a potential political quagmire developing — especially House Democrats.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has recently added his seat to its “Districts in Play” list for the midterms despite his strong 2024 showing, and at least three Democratic candidates have already declared their intention to run, per the report.
“Floridians deserve leaders who protect people, not threaten them,” campaign challenger Noah Widmann, one of the three, told Politico.
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“Cory Mills is unfit to serve," he added.
AlterNet reached out to Mills' office for comment.