Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) will continue to run for reelection after the 4 p.m. Monday certification deadline passed, despite allegations of domestic violence made against him by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, that have roiled his campaign.
While the certification deadline passed at 4 p.m., Miller would have had to drop out over the weekend, as Ohio law requires county party chairs to notice a nominating meeting at least two days in advance. He is now locked in as the Republican nominee, despite reports that GOP leaders and White House officials urged him to drop his bid.
Miller has come under intense scrutiny as a bitter and public legal battle with Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), has played out. The New York Times detailed that she alleged that Miller “scalded her chest and stomach by throwing hot water from a skillet at her body; held a gun to her head; pushed her against a wall and hit her head; and fractured their daughter’s collarbone and bruised her shoulder.” Miller has denied the allegations.
Democrats have viewed the race as increasingly competitive amid the scandal surrounding Miller. Democrats could use the next few weeks to boost their candidate, union ironworker Brian Poindexter, as the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has the seat labeled “likely Republican.”
But recent polls have shown Miller’s grip on the race faltering, which, in turn, has increased pressure on him to withdraw.
According to a Tavern Research poll conducted last week, Poindexter was polling 8 points ahead of Miller, 54%-46%, despite President Donald Trump winning the Cleveland-area seat by 11 points in 2024.
“As I’ve said before, if the accusations against Max Miller are proven true, he should be in prison, not in Congress,” Poindexter wrote in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that Miller has chosen to keep putting his ex-wife and her family through this nightmare in the public spotlight. But let me be perfectly clear. I got into this campaign to fight for my neighbors and for working people across this district. That continues to be my north star.”
“Our campaign’s doors are wide open to anyone — Democrat, Republican, or anything in between — who believes their representative should serve with honor and work for Ohioans, not for special interests and not for themselves,” he continued. “In November, we will win this race, and the people of the 7th District will finally have a representative who fights for them.”
This all comes after Bernie Moreno spoke out about his daughter’s experience with Miller and said he shouldn’t be in Congress.
“He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter,” Moreno posted on X. “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
Prior to Miller’s decision, he had also lost a prominent supporter in Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who said he believes “Max would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter.”
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Miller took the unusual step of calling for a House Ethics Committee investigation into himself last week as pressure mounted on the future of his political career.
“In light of all the renewed interest in my family affairs I am going to file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family,” Miller posted on X Tuesday. “I have absolutely nothing to hide.”