Republican Ohio state Sen. Jane Timken said she is not interested in running for Rep. Max Miller’s (R-OH) U.S. House seat if he suspends his reelection campaign ahead of the Wednesday withdrawal deadline over allegations of domestic and child abuse.
“I am not,” Timken wrote in a message to the Washington Examiner. “I am running to keep my state senate seat.”
Timken, who ran for Senate in 2022 in a crowded GOP primary that included now-Vice President JD Vance, is a former GOP state chairwoman. The state senator finished in fifth place in the 2022 GOP primary and raised $8,707,815 during her campaign. Timken ended her bid with only $8,246 cash on hand.
While Timken is not interested in running for Miller’s seat should it open up, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement official Madison Sheahan, who made an unsuccessful bid for the GOP nomination in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, would be interested, a source familiar with her thinking told the Washington Examiner.
Timken’s decision comes after Axios reported that Republicans have floated her as a replacement if Miller drops out.
But Miller said on Sunday during a livestream on X that he has no plans to end his reelection campaign ahead of Ohio’s Wednesday deadline to replace candidates on the November ballot.
Miller has been accused of abusing his young daughter and ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH). He has also repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
Moreno on Sunday condemned Miller, saying he “should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
“I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake,” Moreno wrote on X. “I believe he should not be free to continue endangering others until he does.”
In response to Bernie Moreno, Miller posted, “If my daughter said the same thing to me, I personally wouldn’t wait two years before holding him accountable. You know this isn’t true and the only reason you are speaking out now is to hide from your own media circus. This is all political.”
House GOP leadership aides have offered help to Miller’s team and expressed concern over the situation, a source familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO REPLACE MAX MILLER IF HE STEPS ASIDE IN THE FACE OF ABUSE ALLEGATIONS?
Republicans are bullish that they will hold the seat, which President Donald Trump won by 11 points in 2024. Miller won by 15 points, with 51% of the vote, as former Cleveland Mayor and Rep. Dennis Kucinich ran as an independent.
If Miller withdraws by Wednesday, Republicans can hold a special election to replace him on the ballot. If he withdraws after that, but by Aug. 10, the local GOP apparatus could select a replacement.
Lauren Green contributed to this report.