Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio’s 7th Congressional District has remained on the ballot for reelection after the state’s certification deadline passed at 4 p.m. on Monday, despite allegations of domestic violence made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. Miller has denied the allegations and stated he will continue his campaign.
Miller’s ex-wife alleges abuse: Emily Moreno, daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), has accused Miller of multiple acts of domestic violence, including throwing hot water at her, holding a gun to her head, and fracturing their daughter’s collarbone. Miller has denied these claims. The allegations surfaced in court records filed during their divorce proceedings.
White House urged Miller to withdraw: Members of former President Donald Trump’s political team privately asked Ohio Republicans not to pressure Miller to drop out in the final days before the deadline, according to three people familiar with the conversations. The White House officials reasoned that Miller’s decision to stay in the race made such efforts moot, as Republicans would have to defend his candidacy if he remained the nominee.
Republican Party unable to replace Miller: Ohio Republicans had a deadline of Monday at 4 p.m. to replace Miller if he withdrew, but the two-day notice requirement for a nominating meeting meant he would have had to drop out by Saturday to allow time for certification. Miller did not withdraw, leaving the GOP without a replacement candidate. Under Ohio law, Miller could still remove his name from the ballot until August 25, but his campaign has indicated he will remain in the race.
Miller files for ethics investigation: In response to the allegations, Miller announced on August 4 that he would file paperwork to initiate an ethics investigation into himself, stating he has "nothing to hide." The move comes after reports, including photos published by the Daily Mail, claimed to show injuries sustained by Moreno during alleged incidents of abuse. The Bay Village Police Department confirmed responding to an incident at Miller’s home on February 1, though no charges were filed.
Polling shows Miller’s odds slipping: Prediction markets indicate Miller’s chances of winning have declined significantly. As of August 10, Kalshi gave Miller a 26% chance of winning, down from 64% in July. The race was previously labeled "likely Republican" by the Cook Political Report, but recent polls show Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter leading by 8 points, 54%-46%.
Legal and political fallout: The allegations have drawn criticism from Poindexter, who stated, "If the accusations against Max Miller are proven true, he should be in prison, not in Congress." Miller’s father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, has not publicly commented on the matter. The House Ethics Committee has not indicated whether it will investigate the allegations.
Campaign spending and strategy: Miller has vowed to spend $1 million of his own money to bolster his campaign, defying calls from fellow Republicans to step aside. The 7th District has historically been a Republican stronghold, but the scandal has complicated Miller’s reelection bid.
Background on the allegations: The accusations against Miller stem from court records filed during his divorce from Emily Moreno. In addition to the alleged physical abuse, Moreno has claimed Miller engaged in psychological manipulation and intimidation. The couple’s daughter suffered a broken collarbone, though the cause remains unclear after an investigation by Cuyahoga County Children’s Services did not determine responsibility.
Next steps: Miller remains on the ballot, and his campaign has indicated he will continue to contest the election. The Ohio Republican Party has no mechanism to replace him, and his name will remain on the ballot unless he withdraws by August 25. The general election is scheduled for November 3.