Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida has become the latest incumbent defeated in party primaries during the 2026 midterms. According to data from the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, 12 House members and two senators have seen their attempts for renomination fail this election cycle.

Center for Politics Communications Director Kyle Kondik explained, “It’s one of the highest numbers in decades in a non-national redistricting year.” While redistricting played a part, other factors contributed significantly. These include scandals impacting incumbents, former President Donald Trump’s influence, and a strong push from Democrats for generational change.

In Florida’s 7th Congressional District, Rep. Cory Mills lost to Ryan Elijah, a former TV reporter. Mills faced accusations during a House Ethics Committee investigation and battled allegations from a former girlfriend. Despite Trump’s endorsement, these issues contributed to Mills’ defeat.

“The years that had a higher number of ousted incumbents were redistricting years. Still, 2026 stands out,” said Kondik.

The Democratic Party also experienced a wave of shifts. Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan was defeated by Donavan McKinney, a state representative from the Democratic Socialists of America. In New York, Rep. Dan Goldman was beaten by Brad Lander, who had backing from socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Generational change proved pivotal in various races. In Texas, Rep. Christian Menefee, at 38, won against Rep. Al Green. Meanwhile, former Mayor Luke Bronin of Connecticut, age 47, defeated long-term incumbent John Larson.

Trump’s influence was noticeable. He played a role in ousting Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the Republicans who voted to convict during Trump’s second impeachment trial. Senator John Cornyn was defeated in a runoff against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, with late support from Trump.

Several other Republican incumbents faced challenges, often influenced by factors such as ideological stances and Trump’s support. Rep. Thomas Massie lost to Ed Gallrein, and Rep. Dan Crenshaw was defeated by Steve Toth. Rep. Andy Ogles also met defeat despite endorsement from Trump.

The results of these primaries reflect a combination of factors shaping the political landscape: scandals, generational shifts, ideological battles, and the ongoing influence of Trump.

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