Cory Mills Explained

Cory Mills
State:Florida
Term Start:January 3, 2023
Predecessor:Stephanie Murphy
Birth Date:13 July 1980
Birth Place:Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
Party:Republican
Education:Florida State College at Jacksonville (AA)
American Military University (BS, MA)
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1999–2004
Unit:82nd Airborne Division
Battles:Iraq War

Cory Mills (born July 13, 1980) is an American businessman, defense contractor, and politician who is a member of the United States House of Representatives for since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he worked in various organizations as a security specialist and a business executive before being elected to Congress in 2022.

Early life and education

Cory Mills was born on July 13, 1980,[1] in Winter Haven, Florida. He earned an associate of arts degree in liberal arts and sciences from Florida State College at Jacksonville, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and a Master of Arts in international relations and conflict resolution from American Military University.[2]

Career

From 1999 to 2004, Mills served in the United States Army, where he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. From 2005 to 2009, he was a security specialist for DynCorp. In 2010, he worked as a maritime security specialist and anti-piracy adviser for Special Tactical Services. Mills worked as a security manager for Chemonics from 2010 to 2011 and as a senior risk manager at Management Systems International in 2011. Cory Mills was employed overseas as a civilian defense contractor.

He joined Pax Mondial LLC in 2011 and later worked as the organization's director of the information operations division and senior vice president.[3]

In 2020 and 2021, Mills served as a member of the Defense Business Board. He is the co-founder of ALS Less-Lethal Systems, a company that manufactures equipment for military and law enforcement clients.[4] He also co-founded and is executive director of PACEM Defense, a private security company.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Mills announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in in April 2021, challenging incumbent Democratic representative Stephanie Murphy.[6] Murphy's seat was a target for the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 2022 elections, but she announced her retirement in December 2021.[7] Mills faced a crowded primary, with his strongest opponent being State Representative Anthony Sabatini. Mills won the primary election in August 2022, earning over a third of the vote and beating Sabatini by over 10,000 votes.[8] Mills defeated Democratic nominee Karen Green in the November general election with 58.5% of the vote.[9]

Evacuation of an American family from Afghanistan

Mills, as a congressional candidate, in September 2021, evacuated a woman and her three children from Afghanistan during the 2021 American withdrawal. Initially, he was going to attempt to perform an airlift, but U.S. Central Command and the State Department denied the request. Instead, he had to evacuate the family by land.[10]

Tenure

Mills handed out commemorative 40 mm grenades stamped with the Republican Party logo to fellow House members as a welcoming gift.[11]

In October 2023, Mills traveled to Israel to help evacuate Americans in the wake of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[12]

Mills also helped airlift 10 Americans who were volunteering at an orphanage in Haiti, amidst Haiti's state of crisis. He also criticized Biden's handling of the crisis and similar crises.[13] Later, he helped rescue an additional 13 people.[14]

Syria

In 2023, Mills was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[15] [16]

In May 2023, Mills co-sponsored a resolution by Marjorie Taylor Greene to impeach President Joe Biden over his handling of security at the United States-Mexico border.[17] On May 23, 2023, he also co-sponsored Greene's resolutions to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland,[18] FBI Director Christopher Wray,[19] Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas,[20] and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Matthew M. Graves.[21]

2024 presidential election

Mills became the fourth representative from Florida to endorse Donald Trump for president in the 2024 presidential election, citing the need for Republican unity following Trump's indictment.[22]

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Mills was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[23]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[24]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Florida New Members 2023. November 17, 2022. November 18, 2022.
  2. Web site: Powers . Scott . 2021-04-12 . Veteran, defense consultant Cory Mills files to run in CD 7 . 2022-08-23 . Florida Politics.
  3. PACEM Solutions International Announces Cory Mills As Executive Chairman And Rana Al Saadi As Executive Vice Chairman . 2022-08-23 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
  4. Web site: GOP hopeful sold tear gas used on Black Lives Matter protesters . 2022-08-24 . POLITICO . April 14, 2022 . en.
  5. Web site: Harper . Mark . 8 Republicans clamor for 7th Congressional District voters' attention in primary election . 2022-08-23 . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online . en-US.
  6. News: Mutnick. Ally. April 9, 2021. Republicans draft veteran candidates to reclaim House majority. Politico. April 9, 2021.
  7. Web site: Murphy, a leader of House Dem centrists, won't seek reelection . December 20, 2021 . Politico. Ferris, Sarah.
  8. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Alert: Cory Mills wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Florida's 7th Congressional District. . 2022-08-24 . SFGATE . en-US.
  9. News: Cory Mills defeats Karen Green for U.S. House District 7 seat . Christie . Zizo . . November 8, 2022 . .
  10. Web site: Ogles . Jacob . 2021-09-07 . Cory Mills evacuates Americans from Afghanistan, says Joe Biden admin wrongly wants credit . 2024-03-12 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: A Florida GOP congressman sent his colleagues inert grenades as a welcome gift to the House . . January 26, 2023.
  12. News: Sforza. Lauren. Brooks. Emily. October 11, 2023. GOP lawmaker helps evacuate Americans in Israel. The Hill. October 11, 2023.
  13. Web site: Aitken . Peter . 2024-03-12 . Congressman evacuates 10 Americans from crime-ravaged Haiti, slams Biden for 'pattern of abandonment' . 2024-03-12 . Fox News . en-US.
  14. Web site: Desk . JAMEL VALENCIA The National . 2024-03-18 . Florida congressman rescues Americans from Haiti amid growing violence . 2024-03-18 . WTVC . en.
  15. Web site: H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 .
  16. News: [//www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria ]. US News & World Report . 8 March 2023 . 4 April 2023.
  17. Web site: H.Res.420 - Impeaching Joseph Robinette Biden, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. . 25 May 2023 . May 25, 2023.
  18. Web site: H.Res.410 - Impeaching Merrick Brian Garland, Attorney General of the United States, for facilitating the weaponization and politicization of the United States justice system against the American people. . Congress.gov . United States Congress . 25 May 2023.
  19. Web site: H.Res.406 - Impeaching Christopher Asher Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for facilitating the development of a Federal police force to intimidate, harass, and entrap American citizens that are deemed enemies of the Biden regime. . Congress.gov . United States Congress . 25 May 2023.
  20. Web site: H.Res.411 - Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors. . Congress.gov . United States Congress . 25 May 2023.
  21. Web site: H.Res.405 - Impeaching Matthew M. Graves, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, for endangering, compromising, and undermining the justice system of the United States by facilitating the explosion of violent crime in the Nation's capital. . Congress.gov . United States Congress.
  22. Web site: Exclusive: Florida GOP Congressman Backs Trump for President . April 10, 2023 .
  23. Web site: Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no. Jared. Gans. May 31, 2023. June 6, 2023. The Hill.
  24. Web site: Cory Mills . Clerk of the United States House of Representatives . 3 May 2023.