Bale Dalton named to DCCC’s Red to Blue program as he aims to unseat Cory Mills

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) just named Democrat Bale Dalton to its Red To Blue Program.

That makes the Sanford Democrat the first Florida candidate identified as a top-tier contender to flip a GOP-controlled seat this cycle. He is only the 20th candidate to be added to the program nationwide.

Dalton in November launched his campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. The DCCC early in the cycle identified Mills’ district among those likely to be “in play” in 2026, but this move signals a different level of investment in Dalton’s campaign.

“Bale Dalton’s deep local roots, moral clarity, and steady leadership are the type of representation Central Floridians are looking for,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.

“While Cory Mills embarrasses his community with endless scandals and corruption, Bale is uniquely positioned to break through the noise, fight for real economic relief, and deliver results for the community he has spent his life serving,”

It’s also notable that the DCCC, the official campaign arm of the House Democratic Caucus, will be putting its fundraising power behind Dalton while he remains in a Democratic Primary against Marialana Kinter.

But at the end of the first quarter, Dalton closed March with more than $464,000 cash on hand to Kinter’s under $119,000. Of note, both Democrats ended the quarter with more money in the bank than Mills, who reported under $116,000 cash.

Mills has seen a series of personal scandals thrust him into the headlines over the past year, which has fueled an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation of the New Smyrna Beach Republican. That includes domestic accusations from two former romantic partners and allegations he profited from defense contracts while serving in Congress. He has denied unethical behavior.

The DCCC in its announcement stressed Dalton’s military background, serving 24 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve, including 13 years of active duty. The Naval Aviator also worked for former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson as a military legislative assistant to the Florida Democrat, and later served as Chief of Staff to Nelson when he served as NASA Administrator under President Joe Biden.

The DCCC noted in 2024, CD 7 results shifted four points in Democrats’ direction. Mills won 56.5% of the vote to Democrat Jennifer Adams’ 43.5% in 2024, but first won election in 2022 with 58.5% of the vote to Democrat Karen Green’s 41.5%.

In a potentially strong environment for Democrats in November, DCCC officials said the district is ripe for a flip.