Here’s what happened.
Republicans are entering a critical stretch of the 2026 midterm election cycle as internal party disagreements threaten to complicate efforts to protect the GOP’s narrow House majority. With President Donald Trump working to advance his America First agenda during the remainder of his term, many conservatives view maintaining Republican control of the House as one of the party’s most important political priorities.
A growing dispute in Florida has become one of the latest examples of the challenges Republicans face as primary contests intensify across the country.
Two Republican members of Congress, Reps. Mike Haridopolos and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, have publicly endorsed former television news anchor Ryan Elijah over incumbent Rep. Cory Mills in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Their decision highlights a rare split within Republican ranks at a time when party leaders are hoping to present a united front heading into November.
Haridopolos praised Elijah as a strong conservative candidate and urged fellow Republicans to support his campaign, saying he believes Elijah gives the GOP its best opportunity to keep the district in Republican hands. The Florida congressman also attended Wednesday night’s debate between Mills and Elijah, underscoring his support for the challenger.
The endorsements have drawn attention because President Donald Trump has previously endorsed Haridopolos, Luna, and Mills in their respective campaigns. That has created an unusual situation in which Trump-backed Republicans are now supporting a candidate running against another Trump-endorsed incumbent.
Mills responded by emphasizing both his endorsement from President Trump and his record in Congress.
“I’m the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Donald Trump three separate times,” Mills said. “I’m proud to have earned his trust because I’ve fought for the America First agenda and delivered results for the people of Florida’s 7th District.”
The congressman also pointed to what he described as a strong record of constituent service, saying his office has returned more than $107 million to residents of the district while helping flip the seat from Democratic to Republican control and keeping it in GOP hands.
Despite those accomplishments, some Republicans remain concerned about the district’s competitiveness if Mills secures the nomination.
Earlier this year, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating for Florida’s 7th Congressional District from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican.” While the district still leans Republican, the updated rating suggests Democrats could become more competitive if political conditions shift during the general election campaign.
The race has also attracted additional attention because of ongoing investigations involving Mills.
According to reports, Mills is under review by the House Ethics Committee, while reports have also suggested the Department of Justice is examining matters related to his finances. Mills has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has rejected claims that he is the subject of a confirmed DOJ investigation.
In a statement posted on social media, Mills said neither the Department of Justice nor the FBI has confirmed any investigation involving him. He added that he would fully cooperate with authorities if requested and accused political opponents of spreading false information during the campaign.
Florida is not the only state where Republican candidates are facing political headwinds.
In North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards recently announced he will not seek another term after allegations involving former staff members became public. Edwards has denied the more serious accusations while acknowledging that some of his past workplace interactions may have made staff members uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller is also facing scrutiny after domestic abuse allegations were made by his former wife and former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller has strongly denied the allegations and has asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate the claims so he can clear his name.
The former Trump adviser has rejected calls to end his campaign, arguing that the accusations are politically motivated and intended to damage his chances of re-election.
All three districts have been placed on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target list, meaning Democrats are expected to devote significant funding, advertising, and campaign resources to flipping the seats.
Some Republican lawmakers privately worry that controversial races could make it more difficult for the GOP to defend its already slim House majority. One Republican lawmaker, speaking anonymously, argued that the party should hold its candidates to high standards and demonstrate accountability before asking voters for another term in office.
For Republicans, the stakes extend far beyond a handful of congressional districts.
Control of the House of Representatives will play a major role in determining how effectively President Trump can continue advancing his legislative priorities during the remainder of his presidency. A Republican majority would make it easier to move conservative legislation, oversee federal agencies, and support the administration’s policy agenda. A Democratic-controlled House, on the other hand, could significantly increase oversight investigations while making it more difficult for the White House to advance key initiatives.
As primary elections continue and campaign season accelerates, Republican leaders are expected to focus heavily on keeping competitive districts in GOP hands while avoiding internal divisions that could benefit Democratic challengers.
With the battle for the House majority expected to be decided by only a small number of closely contested races, party unity, strong candidates, and voter turnout could ultimately determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress during the second half of President Donald Trump’s term.
