Several high-profile primary races Tuesday tested how much President Donald Trump’s endorsement can do for a scandal-marred candidate, showed the impact of Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting and highlighted the continued battle between established Democratic candidates and progressive challengers.<\/p>\n
Here are takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries:<\/p>\n
![\"PHOTO:](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/e109b665-1be7-4465-be86-407d7aac48ec\/cory-mills-20260819-ap-jh_1787114129407_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"America\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., holds a phone to his ear as he walks to a vote at the U.S. Capitol on April 15, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Francis Chung\/Politico\/AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Embattled and scandal-ridden Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost his reelection bid in Florida Tuesday, defeated by challenger Ryan Elijah, a former TV news anchor and NFL sideline reporter.<\/p>\n Mills faces a House Ethics Committee investigation; a judge issued a restraining order against him last year after he was accused by his former girlfriend of threatening to distribute sexually explicit videos of her; and in July, ABC News reported that the embattled congressman was also under investigation by the Department of Justice, in part about his finances. Mills has denied the allegations.<\/p>\n Mills’ loss suggests that Republicans have limits when it comes to how long they can stand behind a candidate carrying too much baggage. Despite the scandals that have followed him, Mills still retained Trump’s endorsement.<\/p>\n Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds waves next to his wife Erika while standing on stage with their children Darin, left, Damon, second from left, and Mason during a primary election party, Aug. 18, 2026, in Orlando.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n John Raoux\/AP Photo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Republican Rep. Byron Donalds unsurprisingly secured his party’s nomination in the gubernatorial race in Florida. Donalds’ campaign has received immense support among Republicans and Trump’s endorsement.<\/p>\n Donalds now faces the task of uniting his party after what was a bruising primary. Donalds said he received congratulatory calls from his competitors, Paul Renner and James Fishback. In his victory speech, Donalds called for Florida Republicans to come together.<\/p>\n “But tonight the primary is over. Tonight we put aside our differences. Tonight we are one united Republican Party,” Donalds said.<\/p>\n Democratic Congressional candidate Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks with voter Camille Edwards as she campaigns outside of the Kings Point Clubhouse polling station, August 18, 2026, in Tamarac, Florida.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Joe Raedle\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won her primary in Florida’s historically Black 20th Congressional District that was redrawn this year by the Republican-controlled legislature.<\/p>\n Her decision to run in the district drew criticism from her four Black opponents and other Black Democrats who have already been impacted by Republican redistricting efforts in southern states.<\/p>\n In her victory speech,\u00a0Wasserman Schultz referenced redistricting Republicans hope will improve their chances of retaining the House in November. She promised the redrawn majority-minority district that increasing representation is among her top priorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is such a difficult and fraught time in our country. There is so much at stake in this moment, and I want people to know that representation matters. It matters, and I will fight to make sure that representation counts again,\u201d\u00a0she said Tuesday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Sept. 17, 2025.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Francis Chung\/Politico\/AP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In the Democratic primary for Florida’s 25th District, two-term incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who was also running in a redrawn district, fended off a challenge from Democratic Socialists of America candidate Oliver Larkin.<\/p>\n The race highlighted how support for Israel is becoming prominent issue in this year’s election as more Democrats have become less supportive. Moskowitz has been a staunch supporter of Israel while Larkin has called for the U.S. to cut off aid.<\/p>\n The race was a continuation of established Democratic candidates facing challenges from progressives, as seen in the Senate race in Michigan.<\/p>\n Moskowitz now faces a competitive general election in November, as his seat is one Republicans see as a top pickup opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nTrump endorsement can’t lift Mills<\/h3>\n
![\"Cory](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c66c66e1-197f-433f-8c66-ab8d2ac807b5\/donalds-3-ap-gmh-260818_1787104797274_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Cory")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Putting aside differences before November<\/h3>\n
![\"Darin\"](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0c58cd5c-70e3-43a5-ad9e-6f9cbd7ba1b7\/wasserman-2-gty-gmh-260818_1787075185400_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Darin\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Wasserman Schultz promises representation matters<\/h3>\n
![\"PHOTO:](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/e4d79ba8-0ff2-4d2c-9d62-040a7d5f3ccf\/jared-moskowitz-20260819-ap-jhjpg_1787114292396_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=375)
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Moskowitz fends off challenge from DSA candidate<\/h3>\n