House GOP divisions are erupting on the midterm campaign trail as Republicans fight an uphill battle to keep control of Congress for the latter half of President Donald Trump\u2019s term.
\nThe infighting touched down in Florida on Wednesday, where two House Republicans are endorsing a primary opponent to incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who is facing multiple investigations into his finances and allegations of domestic abuse, among other claims. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
\nReps. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced they\u2019re backing former local TV anchor Ryan Elijah for Mills\u2019 seat and said they \u201curge our fellow Republicans to join us in supporting him.\u201d
\n\u201cRyan Elijah is an excellent candidate and will ensure victory for us in Florida 7,\u201d Haridopolos told Fox News Digital. The Florida congressman will be in attendance at Mills\u2019 debate against Elijah on Wednesday night and plans to sit next to the candidate\u2019s wife.
\nGOP PARTY FISSURES EXPOSED IN BATTLE FOR S.C. SENATE SEAT TO REPLACE GRAHAM: \u2018I DON\u2019T LIKE HEARING THAT\u2019<\/p>\n
Notably, President Donald Trump has endorsed Haridopolos, Luna and Mills for re-election \u2014 a fact Mills brought up in his response to Fox News Digital.
\n\u201cI\u2019m the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Donald Trump. Not once, not twice, but three times. I\u2019m proud to have earned his trust because he knows I\u2019ll continue fighting to advance the America First agenda and deliver results,\u201d Mills said. \u201cThe fact is, my office has returned more than $107 million to the people of Florida\u2019s 7th District, led Florida in constituent services, built one of the strongest conservative voting records in Congress, and flipped this district from blue to red,and kept it red. My record speaks for itself.\u201d
\nIt comes after another GOP source told Fox News Digital that some Florida Republicans were worried about the chances of keeping Mills\u2019 seat if he won the primary on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
\nThe nonpartisan Cook Political Report downgraded its projection for Republicans from \u201cSolid R\u201d to \u201cLikely R\u201d earlier this year. And with a Cook rating of R+5, Democrats could be within striking distance if Republicans see a tough enough cycle in November.
\nMills is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to a source, though he has consistently insisted that he has not done anything wrong.
\nWATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS \u2018POLITICAL OP\u2019 AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARY
\nThe Republican military veteran dismissed reports of a DOJ investigation as a \u201cdesperate lie\u201d by his opponents and said on X late last month, \u201cWe are not aware of any DOJ investigation, nor has there been any confirmation of such investigation by DOJ or FBI, and would fully cooperate if there was one.\u201d
\nFox News Digital reached out to Mills for a response to Haridopolos and Luna\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n
Mills is one of several House Republicans whose allegations of misconduct are posing a headache for the GOP on the campaign trail.
\nRep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., announced overnight that he would drop his re-election bid after an explosive report detailed sexual harassment accusations by two young female staffers. Edwards has denied those accusations but has admitted to at times making staff feel uncomfortable.
\nGOP LAWMAKER\u2019S GIFTS, \u2018EFFUSIVE AFFECTION\u2019 TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT
\nAnd Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, has been accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and is facing pressure from congressional Republicans to drop out of his race as well. One House GOP source called the situation a \u201cf\u2014ing trainwreck\u201d in comments to Fox News Digital.
\nMiller has denied any wrongdoing and asked the House Ethics Committee to initiate an investigation in order to clear his name. The former Trump aide has resisted calls to exit the race, insisting he will win in November and that the public accusations from his ex-wife are a bid to derail his political career.<\/p>\n
All three House seats are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) target list, meaning Democrats are pouring money and resources into those races.
\nOne House Republican, who was granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital that all three should drop out of their races, stating, \u201cWe must lead by example.\u201d<\/p>\n
This post appeared first on https:\/\/www.foxnews.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"