Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio is facing growing pressure to resign amid a congressional ethics investigation and allegations of domestic abuse brought by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. The controversy has intensified as several prominent Republican senators have publicly called on Miller to step down from his House seat and end his reelection campaign, citing concerns for the well-being of their young daughter and the political implications for the party.
Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, a longtime ally within the state’s GOP delegation, urged Miller on Thursday to resign and halt his campaign, stating on social media that continuing the race does not benefit Miller, Moreno, or their daughter. “I believe 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,” Husted said. He added that Miller might recognize in the future that stepping down was the appropriate choice.
Other Republicans have also voiced similar views. Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana called on Miller to “step aside” after a widely publicized social media dispute over their daughter’s comfort toy. Sheehy stressed the political risks, warning that Miller’s continued candidacy could endanger the Republican hold on his seat and impact broader party dynamics. Sens. Roger Marshall of Kansas and Katie Boyd Britt of Alabama have explicitly called for Miller’s resignation, and several others have endorsed Sen. Bernie Moreno’s characterization of Miller as a "danger" unfit for Congress.
Despite this pressure, some leaders have been more measured. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the situation as “sad and unfortunate” but refrained from calling on Miller to resign, emphasizing that the matter falls under the House’s jurisdiction. Similarly, House Speaker Mike Johnson referred to the allegations as “serious” but advocated for allowing the congressional ethics investigation to proceed before any action. Other members of Ohio’s Republican congressional delegation, including Rep. Jim Jordan, have left the decision to voters, while former President Donald Trump called the situation “a very sad thing” and expressed continued personal support for Miller.
The ethics inquiry, announced by the House Ethics Committee earlier this week, focuses on allegations of domestic violence and illegal drug use. Miller and Moreno married in August 2022, welcomed their daughter in November 2023, and divorced in June 2025. Court documents submitted by Moreno include accusations that Miller threw hot water on her and sprayed her with a sink hose during an argument. Moreno also alleges physical abuse involving their daughter, citing a fractured collarbone and bruising documented in a police report, as well as claims that Miller once held a gun to her head.
Miller denies all allegations, attributing Moreno’s accusations to mental illness and disputing the reported incidents. He posted a video dismissing some claims as “horseplay” and has also accused Moreno of domestic violence, though a judge recently dismissed his case. The dispute remains under investigation, with the outcome expected to influence both Miller’s political future and the wider Republican landscape in Ohio.