ORLANDO, Fla. – Ryan Elijah won the Republican primary for Florida’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills and securing the Republican nomination for the November general election.
Elijah held his election night watch party at Decision Tactical in Sanford, where supporters gathered to watch the results. After the race was called, Elijah took the stage and addressed the crowd.
During his victory speech, Elijah spoke about his father, who died three years ago, and thanked family members who joined him for the election night celebration.
Elijah said he had already received a call from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Republican leaders in Washington, D.C., following his primary victory.
Elijah announced in April that he was leaving his job as an Orlando news anchor to challenge Mills for the congressional seat.
Throughout the campaign, Elijah presented himself as a less controversial alternative to Mills and emphasized his background as a family man.
He received endorsements from Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. Both counties are represented in the 7th Congressional District.
Mills, who currently represents the district, has faced criticism during his time in office.
Last fall, a judge granted a temporary restraining order involving Mills after his former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release intimate photographs of her. Mills has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
Mills is also the subject of an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation.
President Donald Trump initially endorsed Mills but later released a list of Florida candidates he was supporting that did not include the incumbent congressman.
When asked what he would say to voters who had become discouraged by the controversy surrounding their representative, Elijah said he had heard their concerns.
“I heard them,” Elijah said. “That was why, when the endorsement happened in February, I knew no elected official was going to get in this race.”
As of Tuesday night, Mills and his campaign had not publicly commented on the primary results.
Elijah said his focus is now on the general election in November.