Bernie Moreno calls ex-son-in-law Max Miller unfit for office amid abuse allegations

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) has declared his ex-son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), "dangerous" and unfit for office, urging him to resign amid escalating allegations of domestic abuse from Moreno's daughter. Miller denies the claims, which include physical violence and threats, and refuses to drop his reelection bid. The public feud creates an opening for Democrats in a tight congressional race.

Domestic abuse allegations

• ▪Rep. Max Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him of scalding, hitting, and threatening her during their marriage
• ▪Emily Moreno told detectives that Rep. Max Miller had previously held a gun to her head, thrown hot water at her, and shoved her against a wall
• ▪A 2021 Politico report, citing multiple witnesses, alleged that Rep. Max Miller had thrown a woman down the stairs after she rejected his advances
• ▪The Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services investigated and deemed allegations of child abuse by Rep. Max Miller to be "unsubstantiated."
• ▪A legal dispute between Rep. Max Miller and Emily Moreno involves their 2-year-old daughter's broken collarbone, which prompted Moreno to contact authorities
• ▪Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham has accused Rep. Max Miller of physically abusing her when they were dating

Democratic campaign strategy

• ▪Democrats see an opportunity to flip Ohio's 7th Congressional District, which Rep. Max Miller won with just over 51% of the vote two years prior
• ▪The House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, is monitoring the race and stated "nothing is off the table" regarding its involvement
• ▪Rep. Max Miller's Democratic opponent in the November election is union ironworker Brian Poindexter
• ▪The House Democratic Women’s Caucus has called for a congressional ethics investigation into the allegations against Rep. Max Miller

Republican response

• ▪Prior to Sen. Bernie Moreno's statement, Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine said the accusations were "troubling" but Miller's fate should be decided by voters
• ▪Sen. Bernie Moreno is the first Republican lawmaker to publicly call for Rep. Max Miller's resignation over the abuse allegations
• ▪Sen. Bernie Moreno stated that Rep. Max Miller "needs serious psychological help" and should not be free to endanger others
• ▪Advisers to former President Donald Trump are reportedly monitoring the situation involving Rep. Max Miller
• ▪On August 2, 2026, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) called his ex-son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), "dangerous" and unfit to serve in Congress

Legal disputes

• ▪Rep. Max Miller has denied all allegations of abuse and filed defamation lawsuits against his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and another accuser
• ▪Emily Moreno's lawyers filed for a temporary restraining order against Rep. Max Miller, alleging he physically grabbed her attorney, Andrew Zashin
• ▪In a livestream on August 2, 2026, Rep. Max Miller denied being an "abusive husband, an abusive father" or "a violent man."

Electoral implications

• ▪A Republican consultant suggested Rep. Max Miller is in a strong position to win unless his opponent raises around $2 million for advertising
• ▪Rep. Max Miller has stated he will not drop his reelection bid for Ohio's 7th Congressional District