When it comes to Congress’ many scandal-plagued Republican members, the GOP incumbents in question effectively have three choices. They can, for example, resign in disgrace, as former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas did several months ago after facing mounting scrutiny over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving former staffers, including an affair with an aide who later died by suicide.

They can also announce their retirement, as Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina recently did, following a report from the House Ethics Committee that concluded there was “substantial reason” to believe he violated congressional sexual harassment rules with his “intimate and effusive attentions” toward two young women who worked in his office.

The third option for these scandal-plagued members is the most controversial: They can run for re-election anyway and ask voters to overlook the allegations they’re facing. That’s the path Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio clearly prefers, and he’s joined by Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, who’s running again despite his own scandals.

When incumbents make this decision, it falls on GOP leaders to decide whether they’ll stick with their partisan ally or not. When it comes to Mills and the fate of his career, some are reaching the unexpected conclusion. The Washington Post reported:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday he does not support Rep. Cory Mills (R-Florida), who faces three GOP challengers in a primary Tuesday.

Mills, 46, is running for a third term in Congress under a cloud of controversy, including an ethics investigation into possible domestic violence, which Mills denies.

The Republican governor did not leave himself any wiggle room. “I have not endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills,” DeSantis told reporters Friday.

The governor isn’t alone. Two Florida Republican House members — Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos — also recently announced endorsements for Ryan Elijah, a former news anchor who’s running against Mills in the GOP primary.

Though Mills has long insisted that he’s done nothing wrong, the incumbent congressman has been at the center of several scandals. Last fall, a judge issued a restraining order against him for “protection against dating violence” after his ex-girlfriend accused him of threatening and harassing her.

As recently as last month, MS NOW reported that Mills is also facing a federal criminal investigation, though the Florida Republican denied any knowledge of the probe.

As for Donald Trump, the president published an endorsement in support of Mills in February, but he hasn’t mentioned the congressman since. His latest flurry of endorsements for GOP candidates in the Sunshine State did not include any reference to Mills.

We’ll learn soon enough whether Mills’ constituents are willing to overlook his lengthy list of controversies in this week’s primary, but at last count, 12 incumbent members of Congress have lost in primaries this year, and no one should be too surprised if Mills become the 13th.

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