Rep. Max Miller defied mounting calls to abandon his Ohio reelection bid on Sunday, using a livestream to deny domestic abuse allegations and vow to remain in the race. The announcement came as his ex-father-in-law, Senator Bernie Moreno, publicly called for the congressman to resign from Congress, marking an extraordinary split between two Trump-aligned Ohio Republicans.
Miller said on the livestream: “I’m not getting out of this race, and I’m winning in November.” He argued that no court or government agency has substantiated abuse allegations against him and that he has never faced criminal charges related to the accusations.
His ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him in court filings of throwing hot water from a skillet at her body, holding a gun to her head, and physically abusing their young daughter. Miller acknowledged spraying her with water but denied the water was scalding and called the incident “horseplay.” He said he did not intend to hurt her.
Emily Moreno’s attorneys filed for a restraining order against Miller, alleging he had engaged in “harassment and threats.” According to Politico, government documents claim Miller poured hot water on his ex-wife, held a gun to her head, and broke their young daughter’s collarbone. Miller denied causing the daughter’s injury, arguing bruising resembled marks from a car-seat strap.
Senator Moreno issued a blistering denunciation shortly after the livestream, saying Miller’s behavior had forced him to speak publicly. “He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter,” Moreno wrote on X. “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
The senator added that he had hoped to protect his family’s privacy but said Miller’s “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior has made that impossible.” As recently as Friday, Moreno had declined to state his position directly, responding “I don’t know” when asked whether Miller should continue his reelection campaign.
Miller faces Democrat Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, in Ohio’s 7th congressional district outside Cleveland. The district backed President Trump by 11 percentage points in 2024, suggesting Republicans have a structural advantage despite the controversy.
Wednesday is Ohio’s deadline to trigger a special election to replace Miller on the ballot if he withdraws. Republicans could still fill a vacancy through a party committee but would have to certify a replacement by August 10. If Miller withdraws after August 10, Republicans cannot replace him on the ballot. One name floated by prominent Republicans as a potential replacement is former GOP state chair Jane Timken, a state senator with the capacity to self-fund a campaign.
Miller previously faced abuse allegations from ex-girlfriend Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House press secretary. He denied those claims and sued her for defamation before dropping the case as part of a 2023 settlement. Grisham sued Miller last month, arguing his recent public statements violated the settlement’s nondisparagement and confidentiality terms.
When asked aboard Air Force One whether Miller should resign, President Trump said he would examine the matter. “I’m gonna look at it,” Trump said. “I mean, so far, it’s accusations. I’ll be looking at.”
Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesperson for Emily Moreno, called Miller’s livestream a “bizarre and lie-filled rant” and accused him of using their daughter as a “PR pawn” to save his political career. Miller later responded to Moreno’s statement by saying that if his daughter had made similar allegations, he would not have waited two years to act. He accused Moreno of “speaking out now … to hide from your own media circus.”
A recent report on Miller’s reelection bid detailed how the allegations have unraveled his campaign momentum. Emily Moreno’s restraining order filing documented the legal steps she has taken to protect herself and their daughter. Moreno’s public statements marked a significant escalation in the family dispute playing out on the national stage.
Sources
- Axios — Miller’s livestream denial, his vow to stay in the race, Moreno’s response calling him a “danger,” details of the allegations, the August 10 ballot-replacement deadline, and Trump’s statement
- The Guardian — Moreno’s call for Miller to resign, details of the allegations including hot water and gun, Emily Moreno’s restraining order, the custody dispute timeline, and Grisham’s lawsuit
- The New York Times — Miller’s August 2 announcement and denial of allegations
- Politico — Government documents detailing allegations of hot water, gun to head, and daughter’s collarbone fracture
- PBS NewsHour — Democrats’ strategic opportunity in the seat and Miller’s defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife
