Rep. Max Miller Defies Trump Allies, Stays in Re-election Race Despite Abuse Allegations
Key Takeaways
- •Representative Max Miller confirmed to The New York Times that he intends to continue his re-election campaign despite allegations of physically abusing his ex-wife and young daughter, claims he strongly denies.
- •President Trump personally pressed Miller to reconsider his chances, noting they did not appear favorable, though Miller ultimately defied that pressure.
- •Miller's decision came just before a Saturday evening deadline that would have allowed local Republican party chairs sufficient time to select a replacement candidate under state law.
- •Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter held a 14-point lead over Miller in polling as of Thursday, raising Republican concerns about losing the seat.
- •Top Republicans fear that both Miller and Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina could cost the party critical seats in November, potentially threatening their narrow House majority.
Representative Max Miller (R-OH), a former Trump White House aide who has faced intensifying calls in recent days to abandon his re-election bid amid abuse accusations, told The New York Times on Saturday that he intends to remain in the race — a decision Republican leadership reportedly fears could deliver Democrats a straightforward midterm victory.
Miller has been accused of physically abusing his ex-wife and his two-year-old daughter, allegations he has vehemently denied. According to the Times, President Donald Trump — whose endorsement was central to Miller's 2022 primary win — pressed Miller to "look carefully at his odds" of winning, which the president noted were not "looking good."
Saturday evening marks the latest deadline for Miller to withdraw, allowing "local party chairs enough time to name a replacement on the ballot by Monday at 4 p.m.," the Times reported. By confirming his intention to stay in the contest — a decision at odds with Trump allies who have urged the president to push Miller out — the Ohio Republican risks helping Democrats flip the district. With Republicans defending a narrow House majority, even a single lost seat could shift control of the chamber.
"Top Republicans worry [Miller and Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), who was accused of inappropriate conduct toward young female staffers] could cost the party a key pair of seats in November," Punchbowl News previously reported.
Miller is now set to face Democratic congressional candidate Brian Poindexter, who, as of Thursday, was leading Miller by 14 points.
"The Ohio Republican Party and local party chairs stayed publicly quiet this week, for the most part, declining to answer questions about whether they supported Mr. Miller's candidacy," the Times report noted.
"If Mr. Miller had withdrawn, they would have had to call a meeting by the end of Saturday to replace him, under state law. Matt Miller, the chairman of Ashland County and the mayor of Ashland, who is not related to the congressman, said on Saturday that no such meeting had been scheduled."
