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)
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
Says Congress 'must continue driving down costs for American families by keeping taxes low and achieving American energy independence.'
"keeping taxes low and achieving American energy independence"
Immigration Leans agree· stated position
Campaign site says 'America is a nation built by immigrants, however we must enforce the rule of law'; no statement on large-scale deportation was found.
"America is a nation built by immigrants, however we must enforce the rule of law"
Crime & policing Leans agree· stated position
Describes himself as 'a strong defender of law enforcement'; endorsed by the Volusia, Seminole and Highlands county sheriffs.
"a strong defender of law enforcement"
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 13 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Abortion, Guns, Health care, Social Security & Medicare, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Elections & voting, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, 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.
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