GOP Rep. Max Miller Refuses To Quit House Race Despite Abuse Allegations Splitting Ohio Republicans

Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller said he will remain in the race for reelection despite domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, setting off an increasingly public confrontation with Sen. Bernie Moreno, his former father-in-law.

"I'm not getting out of this race, and I'm winning in November," Miller said during a livestream on X on Sunday, where he denied allegations that he abused his former wife, Emily Moreno. Miller also said no court or government agency has substantiated the allegations and noted that he has never been criminally charged in connection with them, Axios detailed.

The dispute has exposed a rare public split between two Republicans aligned with President Donald Trump and intensified scrutiny of Ohio's 7th Congressional District, one of the House races Democrats are hoping to flip this year.

During the livestream, Miller addressed allegations detailed in court filings tied to his divorce and custody dispute. Emily Moreno has alleged that Miller threw hot water from a skillet and sprayed her with a kitchen sink hose during a 2024 argument. He denied throwing scalding water, acknowledged spraying her with the hose, and described the incident as "horseplay," saying he never intended to hurt her.

Miller also denied causing injuries to the couple's daughter. According to Axios, he said child welfare investigators found two reports alleging abuse of the child to be unsubstantiated. One investigation resulted in an "indicated" finding of physical abuse, meaning investigators observed signs of abuse but lacked sufficient evidence to determine who caused the injuries. Prosecutors also declined to pursue criminal charges after determining there was insufficient admissible evidence to present the case to a grand jury, according to court records cited by Axios.

Shortly after Miller's livestream, Moreno publicly condemned his former son-in-law in his strongest comments since the allegations surfaced. The Ohio senator said he had remained silent for months in an effort to protect his family's privacy but decided to speak publicly after Miller's latest remarks.

"He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter," Moreno wrote on X. He added that "if there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them" and said the congressman should not continue serving in the House, according to Associated Press.

Emily Moreno's spokesperson, Stefan Mychajliw, also criticized Miller's livestream, calling it a "bizarre and lie-filled rant" and accusing the congressman of using the couple's daughter as a "PR pawn" in an effort to protect his political career.

The allegations also drew a response from President Donald Trump. Asked aboard Air Force One whether Miller should resign, Trump said, "I'm gonna look at it. I mean, so far, it's accusations. I'll be looking at it," he said.

The legal dispute between Miller and his ex-wife has continued through multiple court proceedings. Emily Moreno has accused the congressman in court filings of physically abusing and threatening her during their marriage. Miller has denied those allegations and previously filed a defamation lawsuit against her.

The custody battle has also included claims involving injuries to the couple's daughter. Emily Moreno alleged the child's collarbone fractured while she was in Miller's care, citing medical records filed in court. Miller denied causing the injury and argued the bruising appeared consistent with marks from a car seat strap rather than abuse, according to court documents cited by Axios.

It is not the first time Miller has faced abuse allegations. Former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham previously accused him of abusive behavior, claims he has consistently denied. Miller sued Grisham for defamation before dropping the case as part of a 2023 settlement. Grisham has since filed a new lawsuit alleging Miller violated the settlement's confidentiality and nondisparagement provisions through recent public statements.

Miller later responded directly to Moreno's criticism, arguing that if the senator genuinely believed the allegations against him, he would not have waited years to speak publicly. He also accused Moreno of trying to distract attention from what he described as the senator's own "media circus," according to Wall Street Journal.

The dispute has added political uncertainty to Ohio's 7th Congressional District race. Miller is expected to face Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker who has received the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders. The district has voted Republican in each of the past three presidential elections, backing Trump by double-digit margins in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Ohio election law gives Republicans until Wednesday to trigger the process of replacing Miller through a special election mechanism if he withdraws. The party would then have until Aug. 10 to certify a replacement candidate. If Miller remains in the race beyond that deadline, Republicans would no longer be able to substitute another nominee on the November ballot.