Max Miller

Representative Max Miller’s path to reelection grew more complicated after a key Ohio deadline passed, effectively locking the embattled Republican congressman onto the November ballot even as calls for his resignation mount within his own party.

Miller, who represents Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, has faced intensifying scrutiny over domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, which he has repeatedly denied.

Newsweek reached out to Miller by email Sunday for comment.

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Despite pressure from prominent Republicans and concerns about the party's chances of holding the seat, Miller declined to withdraw before the deadline that would have allowed state Republicans to replace him with another nominee. Under Ohio election law, Republicans had only a narrow window to replace Miller on the ballot if he stepped aside. Local party officials would have needed at least two days' notice before meeting to select a replacement candidate, meaning Miller effectively needed to withdraw by Saturday. By remaining in the race, he left GOP leaders with little practical opportunity to nominate an alternative candidate before the state's replacement deadline.

Calls for Resignation

The missed deadline comes as Republican criticism of Miller continues to grow. Senator Jim Banks of Indiana said Sunday that the Ohio congressman should resign and end his reelection bid if the allegations against him prove true. Calling the accusations "deeply troubling," Banks told NBC News' Kristen Welker on Meet the Press that Miller should step aside if he is putting a Republican-held House seat at risk as the party fights to maintain its majority.

"It's heartbreaking to see all of this pay out publicly. The allegations against him are terrible. And if he's endangering his seat in Congress as we're trying to keep the majority in the House, and he should drop out if he's endangering that seat," he said.

Banks continued: "He should drop out because of the allegations against him. But at the end of the day, it's heartbreaking to see when kids are involved something like this happen. And I want to pray for his family, all those involved, especially the children and hope that justice prevails in this case."

Banks is among a growing list of Republicans publicly distancing themselves from Miller. GOP Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, whose daughter Emily was formerly married to the congressman, has said Miller "should not serve" in Congress and described him as "a danger" to his daughter.

"If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them," he said last week.

GOP Ohio Senator Jon Husted has also called on Miller to resign and abandon his reelection campaign, while other GOP senators have voiced concerns about the allegations and Miller's political future.

"I believe Max would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter," Husted wrote on social media last week. "Years from now, I believe he will look back and know it was the right choice for her."

Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana on Thursday branded Miller a "degenerate sociopath" after Senator Moreno accused Miller of holding his 2-year-old daughter's favorite toy “hostage,” a claim Miller has denied.

"What kind of person would treat their daughter this way? This guy is clearly a degenerate sociopath. Max should step aside and seek help," Sheehy posted on X. "Staying in this race makes it far more likely we lose this seat and hand Democrats a majority to impeach President Trump."

House Ethics Committee Investigation Open

The controversy has also drawn attention from national Republican leaders. According to reports cited by CNN and other outlets, party officials mounted an aggressive effort to convince Miller to end his campaign amid fears that the allegations could jeopardize what Republicans once viewed as a favorable district. Miller has said he spoke with President Donald Trump, who warned him that winning reelection could be difficult, though the congressman has remained defiant.

Trump, who endorsed Miller, told reporters aboard Air Force One last Sunday that he would look into the matter.

“I’m going to look at it,” he said. “So far, it’s accusations. I’ll be looking at it.”

Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into allegations that Miller may have engaged in domestic violence, abuse or other misconduct. Miller himself requested an ethics review, saying he has "absolutely nothing to hide" and wants to clear his name.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said the allegations against Miller are “serious,” but maintained that leadership withholds judgment until the House Ethics Committee investigation is over, The Hill reported.

Miller has consistently rejected all allegations against him and argued they stem from a contentious divorce and custody dispute. He has vowed to remain in the race and said he intends to win reelection in November. No criminal charges have been filed against the congressman related to the allegations.

With the replacement window effectively closed, Republicans now face a difficult reality: barring an unexpected withdrawal, Miller appears set to remain the GOP nominee in a race that party strategists increasingly view as a potential threat to their efforts to protect the House majority.