Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) filed for divorce earlier this month and is rumored to be romantically involved with his House Republican colleague Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas).
The Georgia Republican filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years, Debra Miller, on May 3, according to Gwinnett County court records. A mutual restraining order was also filed, as is standard in all divorce cases in central Georgia counties.
Mr. McCormick, 55, and Mr. Van Dine, 53, had been rumored to be the candidates since at least January, a person familiar with the matter told the Post.
Another source said they had been having an affair for more than a year.
The Daily Mail first reported McCormick’s breakup and alleged relationship with Van Dine.
In recent months, the two were seen “holding hands under the table” during Republican Study Committee lunches, the Republican reported. told the outlet.
The Post confirmed this account with third-party sources.
The lawmaker also said he witnessed McCormick “grabbing her by the small of her back” in the House chamber.
They separately told the Daily Mail that they had seen McCormick and Van Dine holding hands.
According to reports, Van Dine divorced her ex-husband in 2012. dallas morning news.
A spokesperson for McCormick told the Post that the congressman and his wife, an oncologist, have been living apart, but declined to say how long the relationship had been going on.
“Senator McCormick and Dr. Miller have been separated for quite some time,” the spokesperson said. “He has kept it private and will continue to keep his personal life away from the media spotlight.”
A representative for Mr. McCormick also told the Post that the Capitol Hill “rumor mill” involving Mr. McCormick and Mr. Van Dine is “old news,” but would not confirm or deny that the lawmakers were dating. said.
Van Dine’s office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
When asked about the reason for the divorce, McCormick’s wife told the Daily Mail: “I’m sure he won’t divorce.”
“You should ask Rich and his co-workers about the affair allegations,” Miller said.
The first-term congressman, who represents Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, has seven children with Miller.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) sued McCormick last year after both lawmakers filed competing resolutions to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). He accused her of becoming “physically aggressive”.
Greene filed a complaint with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), claiming that her colleague “grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.”
McCormick later said he was simply trying to “encourage” Greene after she opposed the censure resolution and the House passed it, and immediately apologized to her.
