Ryan Elijah
Ryan Elijah, a former television news anchor, won the Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary in the 7th District, leading incumbent Rep. Cory Mills about 47% to 34% with more than 95% of votes counted, per AP. Mills, who had been endorsed by President Trump, was the subject of an ongoing House Ethics investigation. Elijah is an Emmy-winning former FOX 35 Orlando anchor and NFL sideline reporter who has lived in Florida about 20 years; he ran for Congress in Indiana in 2010 (Florida Politics). President Trump endorsed him after the primary. He says affordability would be his first priority and has said he has 'never been a fan' of tariffs (News 6).
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Republican primary ~47% to 34% over incumbent Cory Mills (also Michael Johnson and Sarah Ulrich on ballot) (Roll Call: https://rollcall.com/2026/08/18/florida-rep-cory-mills-loses-primary-as-wasserman-schultz-moskowitz-prevail/ ; NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5936435/mills-elijah-florida-republican-primary)
Campaign finance (FEC filings through 10/14/2026): raised $818,460, spent $645,454, cash on hand $173,006; $520,460 from individual donors, $125,500 from PACs, $134,100 from the candidate. FEC filings ↗
Sources last checked 2026-09-24. Report an error ↗
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Leans agree· stated position
In his first general-election ad, 'At Every Turn,' released Sept. 23, Elijah said he would keep taxes low and bring down gas and grocery bills, and attacked Dalton over tax cuts on tips, overtime and seniors.
"My plan is common sense: Keep taxes low and bring down gas and grocery bills."
Immigration Leans agree· stated position
Says the rule of law must be enforced and borders secured.
"enforce the rule of law"
Abortion Strongly disagrees· stated position
Describes himself as pro-life.
"pro-life and believes every life is a sacred gift from God"
Guns Strongly disagrees· stated position
Describes himself as a staunch Second Amendment supporter with an NRA 'A' rating.
"staunch supporter of the Second Amendment"
Health care Leans disagree· stated position
Favors patient-centered options, expanded health savings accounts and price transparency.
"expanded Health Savings Accounts"
Education & school choice Strongly agrees· stated position
Champions parental rights and school choice.
"parental rights and school choice"
Elections & voting Strongly disagrees· stated position
Backs the Save America Act so only citizens can vote.
"Save America Act, which ensures only American citizens can vote"
Crime & policing Leans agree· stated position
Describes himself as a strong defender of law enforcement.
"Ryan is a strong defender of law enforcement"
Gender identity laws Strongly agrees· stated position
In releases on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 Elijah's campaign attacked Dalton's answer on gender-affirming care for minors, saying government should pass laws to protect children from such care.
"We don't need to share a stage with Dalton to know he supports parents allowing minors to have gender surgery."
Energy & utilities Leans disagree· stated position
Calls lower gas prices critical and backs American energy independence.
"Lower gas prices are critical to our economy"
Tariffs & trade Leans disagree· stated position
Told News 6 that tariffs do not help affordability and that as 'a free-business person' he has 'never been a fan' of them, while noting possible benefits from manufacturing returning to Florida.
"It doesn't help affordability... As a free-business person, I've never been a fan (of them)"
No public position found on 6 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Social Security & Medicare, Environment & water, Ukraine, Trump administration, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Affordability first — Says affordability is the first issue he would tackle in Congress.
- Congressional stock trading — Says no member of Congress should be able to sit on a committee and trade stocks.
- Health-care costs and innovation — Says the federal government 'can do more to lower healthcare costs' and that the U.S. must lead in medical innovation; FOX 35 reports he favors expanding tax benefits for health care.
- Energy independence — Lists American energy independence as a way to lower costs.
- Family values and faith — Campaign site says he is active in his church and believes in protecting family values.
- Iran, Israel, 2020 election, stock trading, data centers — In a Sept. 8 interview Elijah said the Iran conflict's timeline has been frustrating; said Israel is a key ally but that support should not be unconditional and that he is not taking AIPAC money; said plainly that the 2020 election was not stolen and Joe Biden was elected; supported restricting stock trading by members on relevant committees; and said data-center siting should be handled at the state level.
- Ethics complaint over financial disclosure — An ethics complaint was filed against Elijah alleging he did not properly detail his assets. He filed an updated disclosure on Sept. 16. Dalton has continued to raise the matter.
- First general-election ad — Elijah's campaign began airing 'At Every Turn' online and on television in Central Florida on Sept. 23, focused on affordability.
- Reported answer on a candidate form about trading stocks in office — Roll Call reported that Dalton criticized Elijah for indicating on a candidate form that he would trade stocks if elected. Elijah's own response was not included in the report.
- Stock trading — Elijah said he checked 'I do' on the state form about trading stocks because he was unsure how his retirement account would be handled, that he does not intend to trade stocks, and that he has campaigned on barring members of Congress from trading stocks while on committees that could give them privileged information.
- 'Bad Bet' ad — Elijah released an ad saying Dalton's financial disclosure shows investments in companies controlled by China's government; Dalton disputed it.
- Congressional stock trading — Elijah checked 'yes' on Florida's new SAVE Act form asking whether he intends to trade stocks in office, but now says he won't, and that he has "actively campaigned against congressional stock trading." He said he will decide how to handle his portfolio by January.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- An ethics complaint was filed in September 2026 alleging omissions in his financial disclosure, per Florida Politics.
- Ran for Congress in Indiana in 2010 before moving to Florida, per Florida Politics.
- After defeating incumbent Cory Mills in the primary, traveled to Washington to seek support from House Republican leadership.
Endorsements (as reported)
- President Donald Trump ('Complete and Total Endorsement', after the Aug. 18 primary)
- State Sen. Tom Wright; Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood; Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma
- Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman
- President Donald Trump (Truth Social, Sept. 1, 2026)