Representative Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, is facing a challenging re-election campaign amid allegations of domestic abuse involving his ex-wife and young daughter. Despite pressure from fellow Republicans to withdraw from the race, Miller has refused to step aside, prompting aides close to former President Donald Trump to intervene and advise party members to avoid publicly calling for his resignation.
Sources familiar with internal party discussions said that Trump’s allies counseled Republicans to allow Miller to remain in the race while also urging Miller to limit public commentary on his personal legal disputes. This approach underscores the party’s priority to retain control of Congress, particularly in a district seen as a Republican stronghold. The Cleveland-area district has historically leaned conservative, secured by Trump with a double-digit margin in the 2024 election, but Miller’s internal struggles have complicated what was once considered a reliably safe seat.
The controversy centers on a bitter custody dispute that has become public, involving allegations from Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and counterclaims from Miller himself. Moreno, who is the daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, has accused Miller of physically abusive behavior, including throwing scalding water at her and causing injury to their daughter. Miller has denied these charges, calling them fabrications intended to damage his political career. The dispute has divided Ohio Republicans, with some leaders such as Senator Jon Husted and Senator Moreno calling on Miller to resign due to the allegations.
Meanwhile, Miller’s Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker, has gained momentum, benefiting from the political turmoil. Poindexter’s campaign reported raising over $2.4 million in the last quarter, reflecting increased public support. In response, Republican House-aligned political committees have injected more than $5 million into the race, according to ad-tracking data.
Despite the stakes, Miller’s presence at party events has been limited. He was absent from a recent Ohio rally featuring Trump and other Republican candidates and was not mentioned by the former president during his remarks. Miller’s spokesperson stated he could not attend due to pre-existing district commitments and was focusing on campaigning locally. Sources noted Trump had spoken with Miller in August, encouraging him to consider his electoral prospects but stopping short of requesting he drop out.
Republican efforts to defend Miller have included portraying Poindexter as having a troubled past, citing misdemeanor and a single felony charge from his youth. Miller has acknowledged that the lack of full backing from GOP leadership has hindered his campaign in an otherwise favorable district.
As the election approaches, the Republican Party faces a delicate situation balancing electoral priorities with the fallout from the allegations against Miller, with both sides bracing for a competitive race in a key battleground district.