The Endorsement Comes As Dalton Outraised His Launch Quarter – Bringing Total Raised to Take on Congressman Mills to Nearly $700,000
Sanford, FL – Former Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who represented Florida’s Seventh Congressional District in Congress from 2017-2023, endorsed Bale Dalton in his race against Congressman Cory Mills today.
Former Rep. Murphy expressed her support, saying:
“When I was at the Department of Defense, we didn’t ask whether someone was a Republican or Democrat. We asked: what is the mission, and how do we get it done?” That’s how Bale Dalton approaches public service. A Navy Captain, combat veteran, and former NASA Chief of Staff, Bale has spent his life serving the country. Central Florida needs a representative focused on lowering costs, tackling corruption, and restoring integrity. I can’t think of anyone better for the job than Bale Dalton.”
Dalton expressed gratitude for the support:
“Few people understand Central Florida better than Stephanie Murphy, and I’m so grateful for her support. Congressman Cory Mills has done everything in his power to make life more expensive and difficult for his voters, while racking up corruption charges in DC. We’re going to give this district a better option in November, and I’m proud to have Stephanie on our team.”
Dalton has earned the support of prominent Florida leaders, including U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14).
His campaign has shown growing momentum. During the first quarter of 2026, Dalton raised over $345,000, outpacing his previous quarter’s total. The Navy Reserve Captain ended March with a war chest of over $460,000 to take on Congressman Mills – who he outraised by more than a 5:1 margin in Q4 2025. Mills — who has not disclosed his fundraising totals as of the end of March — had $110,000 on hand with campaign debts totaling $2,026,000 at the end of 2025.
ABOUT BALE DALTON:
Bale Dalton is a decorated Navy Captain and former NASA Chief of Staff who has always answered the call to serve America. One of four raised in a hardworking Central Florida family, Bale graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and has served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve for 23 years. He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the Pacific, flying Navy helicopters and directing air combat support with Navy SEALs in Afghanistan.
Following active duty, he worked for Senator Bill Nelson, helping Florida veterans access the care and benefits they had earned. After an additional stint on active duty, Bale returned to government service as NASA Chief of Staff. At NASA, he managed 16,500 employees and helped run one of the federal government’s most effective agencies.
After a lifetime of service, Bale is now running against Congressman Cory Mills in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Mills is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct, dating violence, and for improperly profiting from arms sales in government contracts. In October, a Florida judge issued a restraining order against Cory Mills, to protect his ex-girlfriend from blackmail and intimidation.
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