Republican Ryan Elijah wins election to U.S. House in Florida’s 7th Congressional District

Republican Ryan Elijah has won election to Florida’s 7th Congressional District, the Associated Press projected Tuesday afternoon.

The AP called the race at 2:09 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Elijah, a former TV news anchor, will represent Central Florida in the U.S. House. He posted on social media after the projection: “I am honored by the faith of the people of Central Florida have placed in me and will work to maintain their trust each and every day.”

Elijah’s Democratic opponent also issued a statement.

“Congratulations to Congressman-elect Ryan Elijah on being elected to be our Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s Seventh Congressional District.”

Bale Dalton

Results not official until Nov. 17

The win is not yet certified. The Florida Elections Canvassing Commission meets Tuesday, Nov. 17, to verify the vote count. That is when winners will be officially announced.

Florida state law requires a machine recount when the margin between candidates is one-half of 1 percent or less of total votes cast. The District 7 race fell outside that threshold, so no recount will take place.

Elijah replaces scandal-linked congressman

Elijah will replace U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in the seat. Mills is the subject of an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation. A judge also granted a temporary restraining order involving Mills after his former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release intimate photographs of her. Mills has denied wrongdoing in connection with those allegations.