U.S. Rep. Max Miller faces escalating calls to resign from Republican colleagues, including his former father-in-law, Senator Bernie Moreno, following domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife. Miller denied the accusations in a livestream and surpassed a crucial ballot deadline to stay in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District race.
Embattled U.S. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, has blown past a crucial state deadline to step aside from his reelection campaign, insisting he will remain on the ballot for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District despite mounting pressure from within his own party and harrowing domestic abuse allegations detailed by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno.
The broadcast triggered a public rebuke from Emily Moreno’s father, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who declared that his former son-in-law poses a direct danger to the family.
Senator Bernie Moreno Condemns Former Son-in-Law
For months, the private dispute remained out of the public eye. But as national reporting brought the allegations to light, Senator Moreno broke his silence with a scathing assessment on social media, posted by Beaconjournal, stating that Miller fails any basic standard of character required for public office.
Senator Moreno went further in statements reported by nbcnews.com, noting that he holds his breath every minute Miller has custody of his granddaughter. In an interview with CNN, the senator revealed he sent his daughter Emily, his granddaughter, and his wife out of state to a secure location until they feel safe. Miller’s office pushed back against that characterization, telling CNN that Emily simply asked to take the child to see family in Florida and shared flight information with him.
Allegations from Court Documents and Police Records
The public firestorm stems from police reports and court filings detailing accusations from Emily Moreno regarding incidents during and after their three-year marriage. According to police documents reviewed by Beaconjournal, Emily alleged that Miller threw hot water on her, burned her skin, and shoved her against a wall during a custody exchange.
Miller has repeatedly denied all allegations of physical abuse. During an interview with Beaconjournal, he responded directly to the accusations.
“Talk to anyone who knows me. Anyone who knows me would say the same thing.”
Max Miller, U.S. Representative
Miller has not faced criminal charges related to the allegations. He filed a defamation lawsuit in May against Emily Moreno and her attorney, Andrew Zashin, which Emily’s legal team has moved to dismiss, as noted by nbcnews.com. Additionally, Miller voluntarily requested that the House Ethics Committee investigate the matter, stating he has nothing to hide.
Republican Party Divisions and Growing Calls to Resign
The political fallout has widened across Capitol Hill. While some local supporters, such as Strongsville GOP leader Shannon Burns, have rallied behind the congressman—noting in Beaconjournal that no judge would grant shared custody if the allegations were true—national figures have taken a sharply different stance.
President Donald Trump called Ohio Rep. Max Miller a very good person
despite abuse allegations from his ex-wife and calls for Miller to step down. Meanwhile, Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesperson for Emily Moreno, condemned Miller’s livestream defense in statements published by nbcnews.com.
“There is a documented trove of evidence that Miller has a history of violent and dangerous behavior and no amount of victim shaming will change that.”
Stefan Mychajliw, Spokesperson for Emily Moreno
Ballot Deadlines and General Election Projections
Miller missed the specific Wednesday afternoon deadline that would have allowed Ohio Republicans to easily trigger a special primary process to replace him on the ballot, as reported by the Nypost. However, he retains the option to withdraw entirely before August 10, which would allow county party chairs to select a substitute candidate.
The controversy has visibly shaken the electoral landscape in Ohio’s 7th District, an area spanning Medina and Ashland counties and parts of Cuyahoga and Wayne counties. Republican prospects in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District declined on the prediction market Polymarket following Miller’s livestream.
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