Mills Candidacy Challenge
Rep. Cory Mills' candidacy challenged over D.C. notary use amid ethics probe.
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A Florida court has scheduled a hearing to decide whether U.S. Rep. Cory Mills can stay on the ballot. The challenge comes from Michael Johnson, a Vietnam-era Army veteran and former Department of Defense employee, who claims Mills broke the rules when he filed his candidate paperwork, according to Florida Today.
Johnson alleges Mills used a notary registered in Florida — not Washington, D.C. — to sign his candidate oath on June 4. The problem: Mills was in the Capitol that day, according to Tallahassee Democrat. Johnson filed the lawsuit in Leon County, where Florida's Division of Elections is located.
The Notary Problem at the Heart of the Case
The legal challenge turns on a narrow but serious question. A notary must be present in the same location as the person signing a document. If Mills was in Washington, D.C. on June 4, a Florida-registered notary could not lawfully witness his signature, according to News-Journal Online.
Johnson is asking the court for an emergency hearing and fast-tracked discovery. That includes depositions of Mills, a person named Blair, and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, according to Herald Tribune. The goal is to get answers quickly before the election calendar moves forward.
Mills Already Under Fire From House Ethics Probe
The ballot challenge is not Mills' only legal headache. A special House ethics subcommittee is already investigating the Florida congressman over multiple allegations, according to Ocala StarBanner.
Those allegations include a Washington, D.C. Metro Police investigation involving a live-in girlfriend. A Florida judge also issued an order blocking Mills from contacting a different former girlfriend. The ethics probe adds serious pressure to his re-election bid, according to TC Palm.
Who Is Challenging Mills and Why It Matters
Michael Johnson is not a political newcomer. He served in the Army during the Vietnam era and later worked for the Department of Defense, according to St. Augustine Record. His lawsuit targets the basic paperwork Mills needed to appear on the ballot.
If the court rules in Johnson's favor, Mills could be removed from the ballot entirely. That would reshape the race for his congressional seat. The hearing will be a key moment for both sides, according to Pensacola News Journal.
What Comes Next in the Legal Fight
Johnson's legal team is pushing for speed. They want expedited discovery — a court process that forces both sides to share evidence quickly. Depositions of Mills and Secretary of State Cord Byrd are on their wish list, according to News-Press.
The court's decision on whether to hold an evidentiary hearing will likely come soon. An evidentiary hearing means both sides present facts and testimony to a judge. The outcome could determine whether Mills stays on the ballot or is disqualified, according to Herald Tribune.
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