Florida judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to remove Rep. Cory Mills from primary ballot; DOJ opens criminal probe into Mills' finances

A Florida circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Republican primary challenger Michael Johnson seeking to remove Rep. Cory Mills from the Aug. 18 GOP primary ballot, ruling the new ballot-challenge law applies to eligibility qualifications like age and residency, not procedural paperwork issues. Separately, the Department of Justice launched a criminal probe into Mills in connection with his finances, reported first by MS NOW on July 21, 2026. Mills is already under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over alleged campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct, and has denied any wrongdoing.