Max Miller

U.S. Rep Max Miller says he'll continue his re-election bid, despite mounting pressure because of domestic violence allegations.

Miller says no one, including President Donald Trump, have told him not to run.

Trump, though, Miller admits, expressed concerns about whether he could win in November.

U.S. Rep. Max Miller remains adamant that he isn't dropping out of his race to defend Ohio's 7th District seat, amid scrutiny over domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife

"I am going to be successful in November because constituents know me," Miller said Aug. 4 in an interview with CNN's Jack Tapper. "No one has told me to get off the ballot."

Miller announced on X on Aug. 2 that he would run for re-election and continued to deny the abuse allegations involving Emily Moreno, his ex-wife and the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. He reiterated this in his CNN interview, saying he would be in prison if the allegations were true.

"I will never, ever, ever let my baby girl see me walk away a quitter," he said, referring to his 2-year-old daughter with his ex-wife.

Miller made his statements about staying in the race as the deadline is fast approaching to replace him on the November ballot. That cutoff is Aug. 10, though Republicans would need to call and hold a meeting before then to pick a substitute.

Some pollsters and election forecasters have described the race between Miller and Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter as highly competitive, raising questions about Miller's prospects in November. Though President Donald Trump easily won the district in 2024.

The 7th District covers Medina and Ashland counties and parts of Cuyahoga and Wayne counties in Northeast Ohio.

Trump expresses concern about Miller's reelection bid

President Trump called Miller on Aug. 3 and expressed concern about his chances of winning in November, Miller said on CNN.

"Max, it's going to be a tough race and I don't know if you'll be able to pull this one out," Miller said Trump told him.

Miller said the president didn't ask him to drop out.

That phone call didn't sway Miller from his determination to remain in the race.

"I will not validate false claims by removing myself just to please the court of public opinion," Miller said in a statement released Aug. 3. "I am innocent of all of the allegations that have been attributed to me. I have done well representing my constituents' interests. Why would I drop out?"

Miller and Moreno are in a contentious custody dispute

Miller and Emily Moreno divorced in June 2025, but are in the middle of a heated custody battle involving their 2-year-old daughter.

They currently have a shared-parenting plan but are both seeking sole custody, with a trial scheduled for Nov. 5.

Moreno has alleged that Miller has been abusive toward her both before and after their marriage, including claiming he threw boiling water on her, shoved her against a wall and pointed a gun at her while she changed their daughter's diaper.

Miller continued to deny that he ever abused his wife or their daughter in his announcement on X and blamed his ex-wife's mental health problems for the untrue allegations. Moreno's attorneys have denied that she has mental health issues.

Miller has never faced any criminal charges regarding any of the alleged abuse.

The Beacon Journal first reported on Miller's abuse allegations in early June, and they have recently drawn coverage from national media.

Miller told the Akron Beacon Journal during a June 2 interview that he never abused his wife or any other woman.

"Absolutely not," he said.

Sen. Moreno blasts Miller on X and in interview with reporters

Sen. Bernie Moreno had remained silent about the battle between Miller and his daughter until Miller's announcement on X on Aug. 2.

Moreno posted on X that Miller "is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter." He said Miller shouldn't serve in Congress.

In an interview with reporters Aug. 4, Moreno went into more detail about his concerns. He said he doesn't care about the politics part of this, but does care about how this has impacted his family, in particular, his daughter Emily.

"This is truly the seventh level of Hell," he said.

Moreno, who has been criticized for not speaking up sooner, said he was following his daughter's wishes to "lower the temperature" of the situation. He said people who get divorced who have a child together must still deal with each other on a regular basis because of the child.

"My daughter lives in constant fear of this man – not something that's existential but, deeply in her heart, she fears what this guy is capable of," he said. "You can't fathom what that makes me feel like when a dad's No. 1 job is to protect your kids."

In his CNN interview, Miller accused Moreno of being "politically vindictive." In reference to Moreno's statement that he needs help, Miller said he's been in therapy for a decade.

"I'm proud and honored to admit that," he said.

Miller calls for ethics investigation into himself – and gets one

Miller announced on X on Aug. 4 that he had asked for an ethics investigation, saying he wanted "to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family."

"I have absolutely nothing to hide," Miller said, adding that he would provide the House Committee on Ethics with documentation.

The Democratic Women's Caucus called on the ethics committee last week to investigate Miller, calling the abuse allegations against him "deeply disturbing" and saying "Congress can't ignore them."

The House Committee on Ethics announced Aug. 4 that it is launching an investigation into whether Miller "engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct."

It is unclear what prompted the investigation or how long the investigation would take.

The files Miller released on X at the time of his announcement include a supposed conversation between Miller and his ex-wife in which she says she thinks he has a drug problem.

In the CNN interview, both Tapper and Miller admitted to having smoked marijuana. Tapper asked Miller when was the last time he used illegal drugs. Miller said several years ago.

"I don't have a time frame on it," he said.