Democrats target Rep. Max Miller's Ohio seat as abuse allegations surface, ballot deadline passes

Aug 10, 2026

Embattled Republican Representative Max Miller has defied calls to withdraw from Ohio's 7th Congressional District race as the August 10, 2026, ballot deadline passed. Facing severe domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife Emily Moreno, Miller remains on the ballot despite pressure from local Republicans like Senator Bernie Moreno. Seizing on the controversy, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added union ironworker Brian Poindexter to its priority 'Red to Blue' program. Recent Tavern Research and co/efficient polls show Poindexter leading Miller by up to 14 points, prompting major forecasters to rate this historically Republican-leaning seat as a toss-up.

Miller domestic abuse allegations

▪Emily Moreno, the ex-wife of Republican Representative Max Miller, has accused him of physical violence, including throwing hot water from a skillet, holding a gun to her head, and fracturing their child's collarbone.
▪Representative Max Miller has denied all domestic abuse allegations, and his spokesperson noted that the court has continued to permit him joint custody of his child.
▪The House Ethics Committee announced it is reviewing reports of domestic violence and illegal drug use involving Representative Max Miller, following his request for a probe to clear his name.

Ohio 7th District ballot deadline

▪The statutory deadline for Representative Max Miller to withdraw from the general election ballot in Ohio's 7th Congressional District passed on August 10, 2026, keeping him on the ballot.
▪Abigail Angelos, a spokeswoman for Representative Max Miller, confirmed on August 10, 2026, that the congressman will remain in the race and fight to continue representing Ohio's 7th District.

Democratic campaign strategy

▪Democratic groups, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC, debated targeting Ohio's 7th Congressional District as part of their midterm spending priorities.
▪Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter, a 46-year-old Brook Park city councilman and union ironworker, has sought to capitalize on Representative Max Miller's controversies by promising to serve with honor.

Republican party response

▪Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters indicated the party would support Representative Max Miller as its nominee but stopped short of committing campaign spending to his race.
▪Prominent Republicans, including Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno and Senator Jon Husted, publicly called on Representative Max Miller to step aside and withdraw from the congressional race.
▪President Donald Trump declined to call on Representative Max Miller to step aside, calling him a good person, but warned him in a phone call that it would be a tough race.

District polling trends

▪Election forecasters, including the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections, shifted their ratings for Ohio's 7th Congressional District from favoring Republicans to a Toss-up.
▪A Tavern Research poll of 635 likely voters conducted August 4-5, 2026, showed Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter leading Representative Max Miller 54 percent to 46 percent.

Poindexter Red to Blue designation

▪Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene stated that Brian Poindexter is the kind of leader Ohio families deserve, while criticizing Representative Max Miller over credible domestic violence allegations.
▪The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Brian Poindexter to its priority 'Red to Blue' program on August 11, 2026, to provide additional resources to his campaign.