Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) initiated divorce proceedings earlier this month and is speculated to have entered a romantic relationship with fellow House GOP member Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas).
According to court records from Gwinnett County, Georgia, McCormick, 55, filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years, Debra Miller, on May 3. A mutual restraining order, customary in divorce cases in the county, was also filed.
Rumours of McCormick and Van Duyne’s relationship have circulated since at least January, with some sources suggesting they’ve been romantically involved for over a year.
The Daily Mail first reported McCormick’s divorce and alleged involvement with Van Duyne. Witnesses claim to have seen the pair holding hands during a Republican Study Committee lunch.
Van Duyne divorced her ex-husband in 2012, according to reports.
A spokesperson for McCormick confirmed that he and his oncologist wife are separated but declined to disclose the duration. The spokesperson emphasized McCormick’s commitment to keeping his personal life private.
Although rumours about McCormick and Van Duyne have circulated on Capitol Hill, McCormick’s representative labelled them “old news” without confirming or denying their relationship.
Van Duyne’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Regarding the divorce, McCormick’s wife expressed reluctance to discuss the matter and suggested directing inquiries to McCormick and his colleague.
McCormick, who represents Georgia’s 6th District, has seven children with Miller.
Last year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) accused McCormick of being “physically aggressive” towards her after they introduced competing resolutions to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
McCormick clarified that he attempted to “encourage” Greene and promptly apologized following the incident.
