A retired Navy helicopter pilot backed by the Democratic establishment cruised to victory in the Florida primaries on Tuesday night.Bale Dalton defeated ex-congressman Alan Grayson and progressive Marialana Kinter, another Navy veteran, for the Democratic nomination to run in the Sunshine State's 7th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Rep.Cory Mills, R-Fla.What was once expected to be a safe GOP seat is now being viewed as a possible pickup opportunity for Democrats in November as scandals continue to pile up for Mills.WATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS ‘POLITICAL OP' AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARYRetired Navy helicopter pilot Bale Dalton won the Democratic primary to compete for the House seat currently held by Rep.
Cory Mills.(Bale Dalton: Veteran For Florida)The nonpartisan Cook Political Report downgraded Republicans' chances of keeping the district from a "safe" to "likely" win for the GOP.
It's rated R+5, meaning Democrats could have a shot with the right candidate.Dalton is already on the House Democratic campaign arm's "Red to Blue" list, meaning left-wing leaders are expected to pour money and other resources into the race.He was also endorsed by progressive veterans group VoteVets, the moderate-left Blue Dog Coalition, as well as Reps.Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Lois Frankel, D-Fla.Rep.
Cory Mills, R-Fla., attends the House Armed Services Committee hearing titled "Department of Defense FY2027 Budget Request," in the Rayburn House Office Building on April 29, 2026.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.
via Getty Images)Mills, who served in the Army, has been bogged down by controversies in recent years that have prompted two of his fellow Florida Republicans — Reps.Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla.
— to call for him to drop out of the race.REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIMThey backed challenger Ryan Elijah, a former longtime Orlando news anchor.Presiden...