Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday he does not support Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) in Tuesday’s Republican primary. The governor’s statement came as a surprise to many in the state’s political circles.
Mills, 46, is seeking a third term in the U.S. House. His campaign has been complicated by an ethics investigation into possible domestic violence. Mills denies the allegations, saying they are unfounded and politically motivated.
The primary features three GOP challengers, all looking to unseat the incumbent. That crowded field reflects underlying tensions within the Republican Party in Florida. DeSantis’s non-endorsement—or rather, his explicit non-support—adds to the pressure on Mills.
When asked about Mills on Friday, DeSantis was direct. He said he does not support him. The governor did not name a preferred alternative, leaving the primary field open. This is a notable departure from DeSantis’s usual willingness to weigh in on Republican contests.
Mills has continued to campaign, insisting the ethics investigation will not stop his bid for reelection. The timing is tight: voters go to the polls on Tuesday. The outcome will hinge on how much weight the allegations carry among the district’s Republican electorate.
The ethics probe itself remains unresolved. Its existence has already shaped the narrative of the race. DeSantis’s announcement now adds a high-profile layer to a contest that was already fraught with uncertainty.
