Republican Infighting Intensifies Amidst Scandals in Key Races
WHO:
CNN - Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) announced he would not seek re-election after the House Ethics Committee recommended a censure for him.
Fox News - Reps. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) are endorsing Ryan Elijah as a primary opponent to Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL).
CNN - Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) announced he would not seek re-election after the House Ethics Committee found he acted inappropriately toward two female staffers.
CNN - Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) stated, “People have asked me, what are you going to do? Are you going to drop out of this race? ... And my answer to you, Jake, is no.”
CNN - Miller's Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, said, “If all the allegations against Congressman Miller prove to be true, Max Miller should be in jail, not worried about retaining a seat in Congress.”
CNN - Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), Speaker Mike Johnson, President Trump, Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Brian Poindexter (Democratic opponent), Jamie Ager (Democratic candidate), Bale Dalton (Democratic candidate), Reps. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
WHAT:
Alternet - If Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) does not withdraw by 4 pm EST, Republicans fear his seat will flip to Democrats. He won with 51 percent of the vote in 2024.
Fox News - The Cook Political Report downgraded its projection for Republicans in Mills' district from "Solid R" to "Likely R."
CNN - The House Ethics Committee is investigating Miller and has authorized more than 20 subpoenas regarding Mills.
Fox News - Mills raised $60,000 last quarter, while his primary opponent Ryan Elijah raised approximately $300,000.
CNN - Edwards announced he would no longer seek re-election after the House Ethics Committee recommended a censure for him.
CNN - Miller has pledged to stay in the race despite concerns from GOP officials and Trump.
CNN - The House Ethics Committee is investigating Miller and has authorized more than 20 subpoenas regarding Mills.
Fox News - Edwards dropped his re-election bid after sexual harassment accusations were reported.
Alternet - If Miller does not withdraw by 4 pm EST, Republicans fear his seat will flip to Democrats.
Fox News - Mills is facing multiple investigations into his finances and allegations of domestic abuse.
WHERE:
CNN - Suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio; western North Carolina; central Florida.
Fox News - Florida's 7th Congressional District.
WHEN:
Alternet - Miller can still quit by August 10, allowing county chairs to choose a replacement.
Fox News - Mills' primary debate is scheduled for August 11.
Alternet - If Miller does not withdraw by 4 pm EST, Republicans fear his seat will flip to Democrats. He can still quit by August 10, allowing county chairs to choose a replacement.
Alternet - Miller can still quit by August 10, allowing county chairs to choose a replacement.
Fox News - Mills' primary debate is scheduled for August 11.
WHY:
Alternet - Republicans are concerned that Miller's seat is critical to maintaining their majority in the House, especially with competitive Senate and gubernatorial races in Ohio this year.
CNN - GOP leaders are concerned that Miller's allegations could jeopardize their majority in the House, especially with the full House expected to vote to formally censure Edwards when lawmakers return from their August recess.
CNN - GOP leaders are concerned that Miller's allegations could jeopardize their majority in the House.
Fox News - Republicans are worried about losing seats due to the misconduct allegations against their incumbents.
HOW:
CNN - GOP leaders are privately working to convince Edwards he couldn’t win, fearing he puts them at risk of losing the seat.
CNN - GOP leaders are privately working to convince Edwards to abandon his re-election bid, fearing he puts them at risk of losing the seat.
CNN - GOP leaders are privately working to convince Edwards to abandon his re-election bid.
Fox News - Some Florida Republicans are endorsing Ryan Elijah as a primary opponent to Mills, urging support for him.
(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:50 UTC)
Rep. Chuck Edwards from North Carolina has announced he will not seek re-election following a recommendation for censure from the House Ethics Committee. Meanwhile, Reps. Mike Haridopolos and Anna Paulina Luna from Florida are backing Ryan Elijah as a primary challenger to Rep. Cory Mills, whose district's political outlook has shifted from "Solid R" to "Likely R." Republicans are anxious about the potential loss of Rep. Max Miller's seat in Ohio, which could flip to Democrats if he does not withdraw by 4 pm EST on August 10, with Mills' primary debate set for August 11.
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(UPDATED August 5, 2026 20:29 UTC)
Rep. Chuck Edwards from North Carolina has announced he will not seek re-election following findings from the House Ethics Committee regarding inappropriate conduct toward two female staffers. Meanwhile, Rep. Max Miller from Ohio has firmly stated he will not drop out of his race, despite facing serious allegations that have prompted the Ethics Committee to issue over 20 subpoenas related to his conduct. GOP leaders are increasingly worried that these controversies could threaten their majority in the House, especially with a vote to censure Edwards expected when lawmakers return from their August recess.
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(UPDATED August 5, 2026 18:25 UTC)
Rep. Chuck Edwards has announced he will no longer seek re-election following recommendations for censure from the House Ethics Committee amid sexual harassment accusations. Meanwhile, Rep. Max Miller has pledged to remain in the race despite concerns from GOP officials and Trump, as the Ethics Committee investigates him and has authorized over 20 subpoenas regarding Rep. Cory Mills, who is also facing multiple investigations into his finances and domestic abuse allegations. As the situation unfolds, GOP leaders are working to persuade Edwards to abandon his bid, while some Florida Republicans are rallying behind Ryan Elijah as a primary opponent to Mills ahead of the upcoming primary debate on August 11.