Ohio Rep. Max Miller refuses to quit race amid abuse allegations
Rep. Max Miller said he will stay in the November election despite accusations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife and her father, Sen. Bernie Moreno, while an ethics investigation has been opened.
Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller announced he will remain on the ballot for a third term despite ongoing legal disputes and abuse allegations involving his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and her father, Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller told CNN he will not withdraw and said he wants to avoid “being seen as a quitter” by his daughter.
The allegations, detailed in court documents and police reports, include claims that Miller threw his ex-wife against a wall, pointed a gun at her, and caused a fracture to their two-year-old daughter’s collarbone. Police reports also note bruises on the mother and a hand-print-like bruise on the child’s clavicle. Moreno’s spokesperson, Stefan Mychajliw, described the accusations as evidence of “violent and dangerous behaviour.”
Miller denied the accusations, calling them “rumourmills without evidence,” and said he is open to an ethics investigation. He has offered to back a congressional inquiry to “clear my name” and has filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife. The House Ethics Committee launched a formal investigation later that day, which could take several months.
In a post on the social media platform X, Miller suggested his ex-wife has “significant mental health challenges” and questioned whether she would have “cooked him dinner” if he had assaulted her. He also acknowledged past use of illegal drugs, stating the last use was “several years ago,” and confirmed he has used legally prescribed testosterone therapy.
Sen. Bernie Moreno wrote on X that Miller should seek professional help and should not serve in Congress. Internal Republican polling reportedly shows Miller trailing Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter by about five points, and several senior Republicans have emphasized that the allegations remain unproven.
"I am never going to give up," Miller said in the interview.
"I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake," Senator Moreno posted.
The ethics inquiry and the pending restraining order filed by a lawyer for former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham add further legal pressure as the filing deadline for ballot changes approaches.