Cory Lee Mills (born July 13, 1980) is an American politician, businessman, and Army combat veteran who has served as the U.S. Representative from Florida's 7th congressional district since 2023. He previously served as a Trump appointee on the Defense Business Board from 2020 to 2021.[1] He is a member of the Republican Party.
Cory Mills | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 7th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Stephanie Murphy |
| Member of the Defense Business Board | |
| In office December 2020 – February 2021 | |
| President | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cory Lee Mills July 13, 1980 Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Rana Mills |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Florida State College at Jacksonville (AA) American Military University (BS, MA) |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | House website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1999–2003 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Yugoslav Wars Iraq War |
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal |
Mills received the Bronze Star while serving as a U.S. Army Sniper during a combat deployment to Iraq in 2003.[2]
In 2022, Mills defeated State Representative Anthony Sabatini and six others in the Republican primary for Florida's 7th congressional district. He went on to defeat Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Karen Green in the general election. He was re-elected in 2024.[3] Mills has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Senator Marco Rubio upon his confirmation as Secretary of State and resignation from the Senate.[4]
Early life and education
editCory Lee Mills was born on July 13, 1980,[5] in Winter Haven, Florida. He earned an associate of arts degree in liberal arts and sciences from Florida State College at Jacksonville, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and a Master of Arts in international relations and conflict resolution from American Military University.[6]
Career
edit
From 1999 to 2003, Mills served in the United States Army, where he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.[citation needed] Mills took part in Task Force Falcon; providing support for Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo War. He deployed to Iraq in 2003. Mills received the Bronze Star Medal. From 2005 to 2009, he was a security specialist for DynCorp.[citation needed] In 2010, he worked as a maritime security specialist and anti-piracy adviser for Special Tactical Services.[citation needed] Mills worked as a security manager for Chemonics from 2010 to 2011 and as a senior risk manager at Management Systems International in 2011.[citation needed] Cory Mills was employed overseas as a civilian defense contractor.[citation needed]
He joined Pax Mondial LLC in 2011 and later worked as the organization's director of the information operations division and senior vice president.[7]
In 2020 and 2021, Mills served as a member of the Defense Business Board. He is the co-founder of ALS Less-Lethal Systems, a company that manufactures equipment for military and law enforcement clients.[8] He also co-founded and is executive director of PACEM Defense, a private security company.[9]
U.S. House of Representatives
edit
Elections
edit2022
editMills announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 7th district in April 2021, challenging incumbent Democratic representative Stephanie Murphy.[10] Murphy's seat was a target for the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 2022 elections, but she announced her retirement in December 2021.[11] Mills faced a crowded primary, with his strongest opponent being state representative Anthony Sabatini. Mills won the primary election in August 2022, earning over a third of the vote and beating Sabatini by over 10,000 votes.[12] Mills defeated Democratic nominee Karen Green in the November general election with 58.5% of the vote.[13]
Evacuation of an American family from Afghanistan
editMills, as a congressional candidate, in September 2021, evacuated a woman and her three children from Afghanistan during the 2021 American withdrawal. Initially, he was going to attempt to perform an airlift, but U.S. Central Command and the State Department denied the request. Instead, he had to evacuate the family by land.[14]
Tenure
edit
Mills handed out commemorative 40 mm grenades stamped with the Republican Party logo to fellow House members as a welcoming gift.[15]
In October 2023, Mills traveled to Israel to help evacuate Americans in the wake of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[16]
Mills also helped airlift 10 Americans who were volunteering at an orphanage in Haiti, amidst Haiti's state of crisis. He also criticized Biden's handling of the crisis and similar crises.[17] Later, he helped rescue an additional 13 people.[18]
Syria
editIn 2023, Mills was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[19][20]
In May 2023, Mills co-sponsored a resolution by Marjorie Taylor Greene to impeach President Joe Biden over his handling of security at the United States-Mexico border.[21] On May 23, 2023, he also co-sponsored Greene's resolutions to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland,[22] FBI director Christopher Wray,[23] Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas,[24] and U.S. attorney for D.C. Matthew M. Graves.[25]
2024 presidential election
editMills became the fourth representative from Florida to endorse Donald Trump for president in the 2024 presidential election, citing the need for Republican unity following Trump's indictment.[26]
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
editMills was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[27]
Committee assignments
editFor the 118th Congress:[28]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cory Mills | 27,452 | 38.06 | |
| Republican | Anthony Sabatini | 17,059 | 23.65 | |
| Republican | Brady Duke | 11,010 | 15.26 | |
| Republican | Ted Edwards | 4,197 | 5.82 | |
| Republican | Russell Roberts | 3,970 | 5.50 | |
| Republican | Erika Benfield | 3,912 | 5.42 | |
| Republican | Scott Sturgill | 3,055 | 4.24 | |
| Republican | Al Santos | 1,480 | 2.05 | |
| Total votes | 72,135 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cory Mills | 177,966 | 58.53 | |
| Democratic | Karen Green | 126,079 | 41.47 | |
| Write-in | Cardon Pompey | 10 | 0.00 | |
| Total votes | 304,045 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
References
edit- ^ "GOP hopeful sold tear gas used on Black Lives Matter protesters". POLITICO. April 14, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
- ^ Harper, Mark. "With Congressman Cory Mills facing accusations of stolen valor, Army confirms medals". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Harper, Mark. "Republicans Rick Scott, Michael Waltz, Cory Mills vanquish Democratic challengers". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Manjarres, Javier (November 14, 2024). "Cory Mills Floated as Potential Senate Replacement for Marco Rubio". floridianpress.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ "Florida New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Powers, Scott (April 12, 2021). "Veteran, defense consultant Cory Mills files to run in CD 7". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "PACEM Solutions International Announces Cory Mills As Executive Chairman And Rana Al Saadi As Executive Vice Chairman". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "GOP hopeful sold tear gas used on Black Lives Matter protesters". POLITICO. April 14, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
- ^ Harper, Mark. "8 Republicans clamor for 7th Congressional District voters' attention in primary election". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Mutnick, Ally (April 9, 2021). "Republicans draft veteran candidates to reclaim House majority". Politico. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Ferris, Sarah (December 20, 2021). "Murphy, a leader of House Dem centrists, won't seek reelection". Politico.
- ^ "Alert: Cory Mills wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Florida's 7th Congressional District". SFGATE. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
- ^ Zizo, Christie (November 8, 2022). "Cory Mills defeats Karen Green for U.S. House District 7 seat". WKMG-TV. Orlando, Florida.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (September 7, 2021). "Cory Mills evacuates Americans from Afghanistan, says Joe Biden admin wrongly wants credit". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "A Florida GOP congressman sent his colleagues inert grenades as a welcome gift to the House". Business Insider. January 26, 2023.
- ^ Sforza, Lauren; Brooks, Emily (October 11, 2023). "GOP lawmaker helps evacuate Americans in Israel". The Hill. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ Aitken, Peter (March 12, 2024). "Congressman evacuates 10 Americans from crime-ravaged Haiti, slams Biden for 'pattern of abandonment'". Fox News. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ Desk, JAMEL VALENCIA | The National (March 18, 2024). "Florida congressman rescues Americans from Haiti amid growing violence". WTVC. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
- ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "H.Res.420 - Impeaching Joseph Robinette Biden, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors". May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "H.Res.410 - Impeaching Merrick Brian Garland, Attorney General of the United States, for facilitating the weaponization and politicization of the United States justice system against the American people". Congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "H.Res.406 - Impeaching Christopher Asher Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for facilitating the development of a Federal police force to intimidate, harass, and entrap American citizens that are deemed enemies of the Biden regime". Congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "H.Res.411 - Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors". Congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "H.Res.405 - Impeaching Matthew M. Graves, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, for endangering, compromising, and undermining the justice system of the United States by facilitating the explosion of violent crime in the Nation's capital". Congress.gov. United States Congress.
- ^ "Exclusive: Florida GOP Congressman Backs Trump for President". April 10, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Cory Mills". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "Florida's 7th Congressional district election". Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ "Florida 2022 live election results". Reuters. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
External links
edit- Congressman Cory Mills official U.S. House website
- Campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN