Republican Congressman Max Miller has lost his bid for re-election in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, with Democrat Brian Poindexter defeating the two-term incumbent in a race that became unexpectedly competitive.
The northeastern Ohio seat had long been regarded as safely Republican. But allegations of domestic abuse involving Miller’s former wife and young daughter, which he denied, placed the district in play.
Miller rejected calls from some Republicans to withdraw before a deadline that would have allowed the party to replace him on the November ballot. His former father-in-law, Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, was among those urging him to step aside.
Moreno accused Miller of “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” and said he “needs serious psychological help”. Miller has denied the abuse allegations and said he shares custody of his daughter.
The House Ethics Committee announced in August that it was reviewing allegations of domestic abuse and illegal drug use against Miller. No findings have been released. Miller had said he would request an ethics investigation into himself in an effort to clear his name.
The committee’s announcement came as the non-partisan Cook Political Report changed its assessment of the contest from solid Republican to a toss-up.
Poindexter, a union ironworker and former Brook Park City Council member, also gained a financial advantage during the campaign. He raised 2.4 million dollars in the third quarter, while Miller raised 145,000 dollars and lent his campaign 1 million dollars.
Poindexter repeatedly featured the allegations in his advertising, including an advert containing audio of Moreno discussing a custody exchange involving Miller’s young daughter and her favourite blue bunny toy.
Miller responded with an advert accusing the “relentless press” of amplifying his “family’s heartbreak”. He said the allegations were untrue and that he had equal custody of his daughter, while the former couple remained involved in a custody dispute after their divorce.
House Speaker Mike Johnson backed Miller’s campaign and said “we have to let due process play out”, but did not campaign alongside him. Miller attended President Donald Trump’s rally in Youngstown on October 12, although he did not speak.
