Former congressman Alan Grayson of Orlando has joined a crowded field seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in Florida’s 7th District.
Grayson, 68, has served three terms in Congress, most recently in 2017. After that, he has dipped his toes in electoral waters, including a since-dropped bid for U.S. Senate on the 2026 special election ballot, a 2025 defeat in a special election for a state Senate seat in Orlando, and a 2020 write-in candidacy for Florida’s 6th district.
A Democrat, Grayson joins Bale Dalton and Marialana Kinter in the 7th District Aug. 18 primary. The Republican primary ballot will include Mills, Ryan Elijah, Mike Johnson and Sarah Ulrich. The 7th District covers Seminole and southern Volusia counties.
“I entered the race because Cory Mills is arguably the worst congressman in the entire country. He’s been horrible for the district and horrible in general, and I can do a better job,” Grayson said in a June 12 phone interview.
Former Congressman Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat, is shown in 2013 during a Capitol Hill press conference. Grayson has qualified to run in Florida’s 7th District in 2026.
“The question for any candidate really is what have you done for the people, and I looked at their websites, I didn’t see anything mentioned. Compare that to my record, passing more legislation than any member of Congress in the country, bringing us a VA hospital, and SunRail, and an extra $100 million for our schools,” Grayson said. “I can deliver.”
Grayson said he has fought for Medicare for all, increased Social Security payments, and eliminating “all taxes on driving,” such as the federal gas tax.
“These are not things that came to me in a dream last night,” he said. “I was a strong advocate for these things when I was in Congress.”
Reactions to Grayson’s entry into the race
Dalton, a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve and former chief of staff for NASA, texted The News-Journal a statement.
Bale Dalton is a Democrat running for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 7th District in 2026.
“I’ve spent over 24 years in the Navy and Navy Reserves deployed to fight Al-Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban, worked with Sen. Bill Nelson to help the Florida veterans get the care they need, and helped lead NASA, supporting jobs right here in Central Florida,” Dalton said. “I’ve spent my life in public service and am running to continue delivering for the place I’m lucky to call home.”
Kinter said she’s the only candidate in the race “unapologetically fighting or universal childcare, affordable healthcare for everyone, expanded veterans’ benefits and true American energy independence.”
Marialana Kinter, Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Florida’s 7th District, speaks at a forum in Daytona Beach on June 11, 2026.
Kinter noted her yearlong campaign has involved volunteering across Central Florida aiding communities, homeless veterans, single mothers and foster children.
“Just because the people we’re helping aren’t part of his elite donor class doesn’t mean their work or their needs aren’t any less important,” she said.
Florida Senate, House races set
One state Senate and five Florida House races will be decided by voters in Volusia and Flagler counties in November.
Jake Johansson is the lone Republican to qualify for the 8th District Senate seat — covering southern Volusia and northern Brevard counties — that’s being vacated by Tom Wright due to term limits. He will face Democrat Judy Ngying and Libertarian Gabriel Wozniak on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Rep. Sam Greco, incumbent in Florida House District 19 in Flagler and southern St. Johns counties, is being challenged by Democrat Suzanna Pavelle.
In the 27th District, incumbent Republican Richard Gentry will again face Andy Ferrari, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Gentry in 2024. The seat covers West Volusia, eastern Lake and southeastern Marion counties.
State Rep. Bill Partington, a Republican, is being challenged in the 28th District, covering northeast Volusia. Democrat Sammy Jackson and Libertarian Joe Hannoush will also be on the ballot.
In District 29, covering parts of Deltona and DeLand, three-term incumbent Rep. Webster Barnaby will be challenged by Democrat Don Kanfer.
And in the 30th District, which includes southeastern Volusia and northern Brevard counties, Rep. Chase Tramont will face Democrat Edwin Munoz.
DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the New York Avenue Apartments on March 31, 2026, in downtown DeLand.
DeLand, Daytona Beach Shores mayors elected
If only one candidate qualifies for office by the deadline, that candidate is declared the winner.
That happened with DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman, who will serve a second four-year term. Also in DeLand, incumbent Commissioners Jessica Davis and Kevin Reid were elected without opposition.
Meanwhile, Daytona Beach Shores will have a new mayor: Stephan Dembinsky, who is a commissioner and the city’s former longtime director of public safety. Also in the Shores, Christopher Conomos was reelected, while two men, Vincent DonVito and Edward Offerman will compete for the City Commission’s Seat 3.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Congressman Cory Mills has new Democrat challenger