TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Representative Cory Mills says he will not resign from Congress despite growing bipartisan calls to step down.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating several allegations against Mills, including violating campaign finance rules and sexual misconduct. Mills denies the claims.
“No, I mean there’s absolutely no reason to resign,” Mills said Tuesday. “I have no federal indictments or anything for alleged federal fraud. So, a vast contrast between, or, and I’ve never had any type of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior that involves staff or ill or things like this.”
Bipartisan criticism grows
Representative Kat Cammack shared reporting about Republicans defending Mills over the weekend, writing: “I don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat. No one is above the law.”
The scrutiny comes as Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of South Florida resigned Tuesday, moments before a hearing that could have led to an expulsion recommendation. The Florida Democratic Party praised her resignation, saying “Corruption has no place in Congress,” and renewed its calls for Mills to step down.
Representative Maxwell Frost said there is a double standard.
“I think Congress needs to do more to prevent corruption of all types. But I think what you see is Democrats who have members engage in wrongdoing. They resign. We have tons of Republicans who’ve done the same thing, and it’s still outstanding. And I think it just goes to show the difference between the two parties, to be honest,” Frost said.
Florida Politics:
In the last week, California Democrat Eric Swalwell resigned amid sexual assault allegations, and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales stepped down after admitting to an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide.
Congress approval at near-record low
A Gallup poll released Wednesday shows Americans’ approval of Congress has fallen to a near-record low, with 10% approval.
“Candidates for Congress and sitting members of Congress running for reelection are going to have to weigh in on this because the public back home will certainly ask questions,” said political analyst Susan MacManus.
There likely won’t be a special election to replace McCormick, with the process taking right up to the general election. That district is likely to be changed when state lawmakers return to Tallahassee next week to redraw congressional maps.
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