Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller conceded his re-election bid in the state’s 7th Congressional District late Tuesday, following allegations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife that dominated the campaign. NBC News projected Democrat Brian Poindexter as the winner, with 80% of votes counted showing Poindexter leading by 8 points (54.1% to 45.9%). Miller’s concession came shortly after midnight, ending a contentious race that saw his personal conduct overshadow his political record.
Miller, who served one term in Congress, had been favored to win re-election in a district that Donald Trump carried by 11 points in 2024. His campaign unraveled after his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, publicly accused him of domestic violence, including holding a gun to her head, throwing boiling water at her, and shoving her against a wall. Miller denied the allegations, calling them “false and politically motivated.”
Poindexter, a City Council member and ironworker from Brook Park, capitalized on the controversy, with Democrats investing millions in a race they initially considered non-competitive. The allegations against Miller were first reported by Mother Jones in July, based on court filings and police reports reviewed by the outlet.
Miller’s political career and responses
Miller, a former White House aide and Trump ally, won his seat in 2022 after redistricting reshaped Ohio’s congressional map. He was a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia and broke with Trump on some economic policies, including tariffs. However, his 2026 campaign collapsed amid the abuse allegations, which resurfaced from a 2023 incident involving his ex-wife and their two-year-old child. Moreno reported the abuse to Ohio police, and a detective noted that the child’s collarbone fracture appeared “suspicious,” though a child welfare investigation did not substantiate the claims.
In a statement on X, Miller acknowledged the election results but framed his concession as a temporary setback. “I am disappointed at this evening’s election results. I have fought earnestly to continue to represent the interests of my home and community in the Ohio 7th District,” he wrote. “We have achieved great things in the last four years and I am disheartened that I cannot continue the good fight.”
The allegations and legal context
The abuse allegations against Miller stem from a 2023 incident reported by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, during their divorce proceedings. Moreno alleged that Miller held a gun to her head while she changed their toddler’s diaper, threw boiling water at her, and physically assaulted her. Police reports obtained by Mother Jones described the child’s injury—a broken collarbone—as potentially suspicious, with a detective noting “bruising surrounding the clavicle fracture made the injury suspicious.” A child wellness expert cited in the report stated the injury would have required “a high degree of impact to occur.”
Cuyahoga County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigated the child abuse allegations but ultimately found them “unsubstantiated,” meaning there was insufficient evidence to confirm the claims. Miller’s campaign has consistently denied the abuse allegations, with his spokesperson stating that the accusations were part of a coordinated effort to damage his reputation.
Campaign dynamics and political fallout
Poindexter’s victory marks a significant shift in Ohio’s 7th District, which had been a Republican stronghold. The race drew national attention as Democrats poured resources into a district they did not expect to be competitive. Poindexter, a first-time candidate, framed his campaign around “restoring integrity” to the district, while Miller’s allies argued that the allegations were being weaponized for political gain.
Miller’s break from Trump on certain issues, including tariffs, did not appear to mitigate the impact of the abuse allegations on his campaign. His past role as a White House aide and Trump campaign surrogate also became a point of contention, with critics arguing that his association with Trump’s administration undermined his standing with voters.
Next steps and broader implications
With Poindexter’s projected win, the Ohio 7th District will send a Democrat to Congress for the first time in recent history. The race highlights the growing influence of personal conduct allegations in political campaigns, particularly in close contests. Miller’s concession closes a chapter marked by legal scrutiny and public controversy, but the underlying allegations remain unresolved in the court of public opinion.
The outcome also raises questions about the role of domestic abuse allegations in electoral politics, as well as the impact of high-profile scandals on voter behavior. Both campaigns framed the race as a referendum on character and leadership, with Poindexter emphasizing accountability and Miller defending his record in office.