Political Analyst Jean Jenner: GOP primary voters rebuked Congressman Cory Mills & by way of extension, Trump too

Headline Surfer infographics / TOP: Incumbent Cory Mills is soundly defeated in the 2026 Republican primary election despite enfdorsement during the campaign by Donald Trump, who has since claimed he told Mills to get out. Shown in the inset: With Mills jettisoned by the voters, it will be Republican Ryan Elijah vs. Democrat Bale Dalton in November's general ection to succeed Mills.

LEFT: Final unofficial votes in the Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 primaries for the 7th Congressional show the voting totals in both parties from Seminole and Volusia counties that comprise the district.

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Central Florida political analyst Jean Jenner said the message from Congressman Cory Mills' overwhelming defeat in Tuesday's primary election that voters in his own party that Cory Mills' political corruption and mysogyny were no longer tolerated, and by way of extension, Donald Trump's performance as president.

"I think it says something important that this wasn't Democrats or the media rejecting Cory Mills," Jenner told Headline Surfer in the wake of Tuesday's primary rejection. "It was his own party's primary voters, in a district Trump carried in 2024."

"I think it says something important that this wasn't Democrats or the media rejecting Cory Mills," Jenner told Headline Surfer in the wake of Tuesday's primary rejection. "It was his own party's primary voters, in a district Trump carried in 2024."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jean Jenner is a resident of Ormond Beach, Florida, who started in politics with the Volusia County Democratic Executive Committee in 2000, and was eventually chosen by his peers as vice chair in 2013. Jenner decided to curtail his political activities in 2016 so he could spend more time with his son, though he continued working with various local campaigns. He switched to a registered NPA late last year, disgusted by political leaders in both major parties, and especially in the wake of Trump's big election lies of 2020 that he lost to Joe Biden in a rigged election. Headline Surfer asked Jenner for his impressions on the primary election defeat of Cory Mills and any role Donald Trump played in his rejection by GOP voters in Tuesday's primary results. As a registed NPA voter, Jenner considers himself a 'moderate, pro American, anti-extremist,' adding 'both sides have gone nuts!'

The unofficial results of Tuesday's primary election saw Mills finished a distant second among Republican voters and out of the running for a third consecutive two-year term in Congress representing the 7th district that includes Seminole and Volusia counties.

Ryan Elijah won the GOP primary with 31,532 or 47.29 percent of the overall votes cast by Republican voters to win the GOP contest outright. Mills finished second with 27,232 votes or 34.1 percent. 

Sarah Ulrich with 7,004 votes or 10.5 percent, finished third. Michael Don Johnson finished last among the four GOP candidates with 5,406 votes or 8.11 percent of the total votes.

In the Democratic primary for the 7th congressional district, Bale Dalton beat two others with 21,740 votes or 45.49 percent. Marialana Kinter garnered 16,987 votes or 35.55 percent to finish second. Third place finisher Alan Grayson got 9,060 votes or 18.96 percent of the votes.

So it's Democrat Bale Dalton, 45, of Sanford, vs. Republican Ryan Elijah, 54, of Sanford, who will do battle in November's general election for the right to represent the 7th Congressional district in Washington.

For Cory Mills, 46, Tuesday's ugly primary defeat puts an end to his four-year reign in Congress and rightfully so, says Jenner, who didn't mince words, adding even GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis wouldn't back him during the campaign for re-election.

"When a sitting congressman has a judge grant a protective order against him, finding grounds to fear further violence, and his own governor won't stand next to him, that's not a partisan hit job, that's Republicans holding one of their own accountable," Jenner said.

Coming into the primary, Mills faced major accusations involving dating violence, sexual misconduct, campaign finance and ethics violations, financial improprieties, and allegations of stolen valor regarding his military awards. He consistently denied all wrongdoing and claimed the accusations were politically motivated.

ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT & VIOLENCE AGAINST MILLS:

Dating Violence & Restraining Order: An ex-girlfriend accused Mills of threatening and harassing her, including threatening to release explicit photos and videos of her from their relationship. A Florida judge granted a protective order against him after finding parts of his testimony unconvincing. 

Domestic Abuse Allegations: Police investigated an incident where he was accused of physically assaulting another romantic partner, though local prosecutors ultimately did not file criminal charges.

House Ethics Committee Probe: The committee launched an investigative subcommittee to review multiple issues, including potential sexual misconduct, dating violence, misuse of congressional resources, financial disclosure violations, and the acceptance of improper gifts or overseas trip favors. Campaign Finance: Investigators probed whether he violated campaign finance laws or improperly solicited funds.   

Department of Justice (DOJ) Inquiry: Reports surfaced that the DOJ and FBI opened a criminal investigation touching on aspects of his personal and campaign finances. 

Military Record Accusations (Stolen Valor Claims): Army veterans and congressional critics accused Mills of misrepresenting his military record and improperly claiming or obtaining a Bronze Star. Mills released service documentation and military records defending the legitimacy of his awards and medals.

Mills did very little, if any campaigning in the home congressional district spanning parts Seminole and parts of Volusia counties, amid the ongoing scandals and accusations plaguing his re-election. 

Jenner said Trump has not helped Mills overcome the constant barrage of political criticism against Mills by Democrats and ebven insiders in the GOP where candidates for other congressional seats are trying to stave off accusations of sexual abuse and other ills.

"As for Trump, the honest answer requires being precise about what's actually been proven versus what's alleged," Jenner explained. "A jury did find him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the E. Jean Carroll case, that's not an accusation, that's a legal finding."

Jenner continued: "The Epstein-related allegation involving a minor is serious and under scrutiny, but hasn't resulted in charges, and the White House disputes it. What is well-documented, across multiple news outlets, is a consistent pattern of demeaning female reporters, calling them 'fake news,' 'disrespectful,' or worse, rather than engaging on substance. "

Jenner concluded: "Whether you're talking about Mills or Trump, I think voters, and voters alone, get to decide how much that pattern matters to them. My hope is that people judge it on the facts, not on which party the person belongs to."

Mills has not publicly commented on his primary election loss, and attempts by Headline Surfer to reach out to him for this story were unsuccessful.

Previous related 2026 Primary Election coverage:

Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. now lameduck having finished dead last in 3-way election primary

Published: Wed, 08/19/2026 - 05:20

VOLUSIA COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS

SEMINOLE COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS

ORANGE COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS

FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS - Federal, State & County/Municipal Results 

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