The family issues between Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) escalated as the congressman seeks to elevate his reputation following allegations of abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the senator’s daughter.
Miller had released screenshots of text messages of himself, his ex-wife, and the pair’s parent coordinator ironing out a dispute over his daughter’s beloved “blue bunny” stuffed animal, which Bernie Moreno said Miller withheld during child exchanges.
The parenting coordinator, appearing in message screenshots as “Deborah,” messaged Miller to ask if Moreno could pick up the child’s blue bunny. Miller replied, “sure,” but later took issue with a friend of the Moreno family reaching out asking to pick up the beloved toy.
Emily Moreno, Miller’s ex-wife, had emailed her former husband to explain that “nobody was aware that you would be upset by whom picked up the bunny.” Miller did not include his response to this message in the screenshot.
While Miller sought to exonerate himself of withholding the bunny by releasing the messages, his post faced backlash. Some users called the congressman “psycho,” and another said Miller, thinking they would make him look good, proves he’s a “narcissist.”
Bernie Moreno had largely stayed out of the messy divorce between his daughter and Miller, explaining that the situation had been “agonizing” for his family. On Thursday, he told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he took action to protect his family.
“I sent my daughter, granddaughter, and wife out of State to a secure place until such time as they feel safe,” the senator told Tapper.
Miller later disputed the notion that Emily Moreno and her daughter were sent away, showing Tapper that his ex-wife shared her flight information with him, and he was permitted to visit his daughter if he was able to prior to their departure.
While Miller has made media appearances and taken to the keyboard to defend himself, it has done little to boost his reputation as he seeks another term serving Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.
On Thursday, Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) joined his Senate colleague in calling for Miller to suspend his campaign and resign from Congress.
VANCE STEERS CLEAR OF MAX MILLER CONTROVERSY — FOR NOW
“One thing they both seem to agree on is that Ruthie’s best interests should come first,” Husted said. “Those interests will not be served by litigating these matters in public, but by addressing them privately.”
Miller has been adamant that he will not exit the race and intends to remain in Congress, emphasizing his innocence in the domestic abuse claims.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Miller for comment.