Republican Rep. Max Miller lost his Ohio seat to Democrat Brian Poindexter after his ex-wife’s domestic-abuse allegations, which he denies, became the center of the race.
Story Snapshot
- Democrat Brian Poindexter defeated Rep. Max Miller in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.
- Forecasters rated the seat solid Republican early in the year.
- Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him in court filings of abusing her and their young daughter.
- Miller denies every allegation, has not been charged with a crime, and has sued his ex-wife for defamation.
- Leading the calls for Miller to quit was his own former father-in-law, GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, who said he “needs serious psychological help.”
- The House Ethics Committee is reviewing the allegations and has not released any findings.
Allegations That Took Over an Ohio House Race
Voters in Ohio’s 7th District, in the Cleveland area, turned out Rep. Max Miller on Tuesday, November 3. Major networks projected that Democrat Brian Poindexter had won. Miller’s defeat followed months of coverage of abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, allegations he denies but which became the centerpiece of the campaign, according to reports.
GOP Rep. Max Miller conceded his controversial re-election race following a campaign roiled by allegations of domestic abuse involving his ex-wife and child. He has denied those allegations.#Midterms #Midterms2026 pic.twitter.com/w37pvUionB
— Gianl1974 (@Gianl1974) November 4, 2026
Emily Moreno, who is the daughter of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, made her claims in court filings during the couple’s bitter divorce and custody fight. She alleges that Miller held a gun to her head and scalded her with hot water. She has also said she could not rule out that Miller caused a broken collarbone their toddler daughter suffered. Separately, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who once dated Miller, has accused him of physical abuse. Miller has sued Grisham for defamation as well. Defamation means harming someone’s name with false statements.
Miller Denies It All
Miller has denied every allegation from the start. In an August video, he said, “Not one of these allegations has ever been substantiated by any court or any agency.” He added, “If these accusations were true, I would be in jail.” In an October campaign ad, he said the claims had been “proven false time and again,” and he blamed the “relentless press” for amplifying his “family’s heartbreak.” He says he shares equal custody of his daughter. He and his ex-wife are still fighting over custody in court.
Miller also asked for a House ethics investigation, he said, “to clear my name.” In early August, the House Ethics Committee announced it was reviewing allegations of domestic abuse and illegal drug use against him. The panel has not released any findings. The panel observes a 60-day blackout period before an election, a stretch in which it holds off on public steps in cases involving candidates.
His Former Father-in-Law Led the Calls to Quit
The sharpest words came from inside Miller’s own former family. Sen. Bernie Moreno, his ex-wife’s father, wrote on X in August: “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them.” He added: “He should not serve in the House of Representatives.” Moreno accused Miller of “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” and said he “needs serious psychological help.” Poindexter later used Moreno’s remarks to reporters in one of his ads.
Ohio’s other Republican senator, Jon Husted, also called for Miller to resign. House Speaker Mike Johnson stood by Miller, saying, “we have to let due process play out,” but he did not campaign with him. In the closing days of the race, President Trump endorsed Miller, writing that he “has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.” Miller refused to step aside and stayed on the ballot past the August 10 deadline for Republicans to replace him.
What the Loss Means
The seat had looked safe for Republicans. Election forecasters rated it solid Republican early in the year, then moved it to a toss-up in August, after the allegations became public. Poindexter, a union ironworker and former Brook Park City Council member, pulled far ahead in money. In the third quarter, he raised $2.4 million. Miller raised $145,000 and loaned his own campaign $1 million.
The election did not decide whether the allegations are true. No court has found that Miller abused anyone, and he has not been charged. The custody fight and the ethics review are both still open. What voters decided was who will represent them, and they chose Poindexter. For Republicans, the race is a costly reminder of what can happen when a candidate’s personal troubles crowd out every other issue in a campaign.
Sources:
cbsnews.com, yahoo.com, csmonitor.com, nytimes.com
