House Members Under Ethics Probes See Fundraising Plummet

Reps. Cory Mills and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick struggle to raise money amid legal troubles.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:38am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or legislative chamber, with a single desk or podium illuminated by warm, diagonal sunlight, conceptually representing the challenges facing politicians embroiled in legal and ethical issues.The legal and ethical troubles facing some members of Congress cast a long shadow over their ability to effectively campaign and fundraise.Today in Miami

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida, Republican Rep. Cory Mills and Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, have seen their fundraising numbers plummet amid ongoing ethics and legal issues. Mills raised just under $75,000 this quarter as he faces an Ethics Committee investigation, while Cherfilus-McCormick brought in less than $11,000 as she deals with a federal criminal trial and a potential expulsion vote by her colleagues.

Why it matters

Fundraising is a crucial component of any political campaign, and these drops in donations could significantly impact the members' ability to mount effective re-election bids. The legal troubles facing Mills and Cherfilus-McCormick also raise broader questions about ethical conduct and accountability in Congress.

The details

Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican, reported raising just under $75,000 this quarter as he continues to face an Ethics Committee investigation that includes allegations he broke campaign finance rules and threatened to release sexually explicit videos from a past relationship. Mills has denied the allegations. His campaign has paid out $32,000 to attorneys and owes another $45,000 in legal fees, leaving him $2 million in debt with less than $116,000 cash on hand. Democratic challenger Bale Dalton reported raising more than $345,000 this quarter. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick raised just under $11,000, with less than half coming from the Congressional Black Caucus' PAC. She faces a penalty decision from the Ethics Committee next week and has $4 million in debt, mostly from legal fees.

  • The campaign finance documents cover the period from January through March 2026.
  • The Ethics Committee is set to make a decision on Cherfilus-McCormick next week.
  • Cherfilus-McCormick's federal criminal trial has been moved to February 2027.

The players

Cory Mills

A Republican U.S. Representative from Florida who is facing an Ethics Committee investigation and has seen his fundraising plummet as a result.

Bale Dalton

The leading Democratic challenger to Rep. Cory Mills, who reported raising more than $345,000 this quarter.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Florida who is struggling with fundraising amid an Ethics Committee investigation and a pending federal criminal trial.

Luther Campbell

A rap icon who is one of the candidates lining up to potentially replace Cherfilus-McCormick.

Elijah Manley

A civic activist who is also running to replace Cherfilus-McCormick.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime a member is under an Ethics investigation it impacts fundraising, but fundraising isn't my priority or what I was elected to do. This is why I focus on leading the state in constituent services and money brought back from case work.”

— Cory Mills, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The Ethics Committee is set to make a decision on Cherfilus-McCormick next week, which could have major implications for her political future. Additionally, Cherfilus-McCormick's federal criminal trial has been moved to February 2027, meaning she will face a crowded primary for the midterms if she is not ousted by her colleagues.

The takeaway

The fundraising struggles of Reps. Cory Mills and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick highlight the significant toll that ethics and legal issues can take on a politician's campaign. These cases underscore the importance of accountability and ethical conduct in Congress, as well as the potential consequences for members who run afoul of the rules.