Representative Max Miller says he will remain in the Ohio midterm race despite domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and accusations from a former partner. Investigators reported no conclusive evidence of child abuse, but the allegations have made his seat highly competitive. Republicans, including Senator Bernie Moreno and other GOP leaders, have publicly urged Miller to resign, warning that a Democratic pickup could flip the narrowly divided U.S. House.
Max Miller Refuses to Quit as Domestic Abuse Allegations Threaten GOP's Slim House Majority
Max Miller, the Ohio congressman, has been accused of domestically abusing his wife and daughter - Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call
Representative Max Miller has vowed to remain in the Ohio midterm race despite mounting allegations of domestic violence that have prompted public calls for his resignation from fellow Republicans and raised concerns in the White House about the party's fragile House majority.
Allegations and Investigations
Miller, who represents Ohio's 7th Congressional District and won roughly 51% of the vote in 2024, has been accused by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, of repeated domestic abuse. A Mother Jones report last month said Moreno told detectives earlier this year that Miller allegedly threw hot water at her, shoved her and held a gun to her head. Moreno also told investigators she could not rule out Miller in connection with injuries to their young daughter, including bruising and a broken collarbone.
Mr Miller says he wants to be 'resilient' like Donald Trump was when the president faced allegations - MATT KAMINSKY/EPA/Shutterstock
Investigators probing the child's injuries have said they did not find conclusive evidence of child abuse or neglect. Miller has denied the allegations. A second accuser, Stephanie Grisham — a former White House aide and a former partner of Miller — has also publicly accused him of violent behavior; Miller has denied her claims as well.
Political Fallout
The controversy has elevated Miller’s contest into a race that many political analysts now view as highly competitive. With Republicans holding one of the narrowest House majorities in modern history, party leaders worry that a Democratic pickup in Miller’s seat could tilt control of the chamber and hamper the White House agenda.
Mr Miller and Emily Moreno, his ex-wife - Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP Photo
President Donald Trump reportedly called Miller to express concern about the campaign’s outlook. Miller has repeatedly said he will not withdraw, invoking Mr. Trump’s ability to survive repeated allegations in past campaigns. "But guess what? He stayed in and he was resilient," Miller told CNN, echoing the president’s political resilience.
Republican Pressure and Internal Divisions
The accusations have exposed divisions within the GOP. Senator Bernie Moreno — Emily Moreno’s father and one of Ohio’s Republican senators — publicly urged his former son-in-law to resign, calling the situation "horrific" and saying an innocent child was caught in the middle. Other Republican senators, including Tim Sheehy and Katie Britt, have also called for Miller to step down or seek help; Ohio’s Jon Husted said Miller should "step aside as a candidate."
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Ohio Republicans face a party deadline to name an alternative midterm candidate on Monday; after that date, the ballot would likely remain unchanged.
What’s Next
Pollsters and election analysts, including Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report, warned that Miller’s seat will become highly competitive if he remains on the ballot — a change that could have national consequences. Investigations are ongoing in parts, while the political debate over Miller’s fitness for office continues to play out publicly.
Note: Allegations reported by third parties are denied by Miller. Investigators have not publicly announced conclusive findings of child abuse or neglect.
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