Republican Rep. Max Miller was defeated Tuesday by his Democratic challenger, Brian Poindexter, in a race that became overshadowed by a contentious custody battle between Miller and his estranged wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).
Miller, who represented Ohio’s northeastern district, which had favored President Trump by 11 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, lost his bid for a second term. Poindexter led Miller by a margin of 54% to 46% as of midnight.
Miller’s campaign faced significant challenges stemming from public accusations made during his custody fight. In February, his two-year-old daughter reportedly suffered a broken collarbone and a bruise that appeared to be a handprint. Emily Moreno claimed their daughter stated, “Daddy kill you.” The Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services investigated the incident and found no evidence that Miller had harmed his child.
Moreno also accused Miller of pushing her during a custody transfer on Feb. 1, an allegation Miller denied. She further claimed he intentionally poured hot water on her during an argument in August 2024.
Concerns about Miller’s behavior, including alleged drug use and erratic conduct, were also raised by Moreno. Senator Bernie Moreno urged Miller to withdraw from the race, calling him “a danger to my daughter” and expressing anxiety over Miller’s custody of his granddaughter.
Miller, a former special assistant to President Donald Trump, married Emily Moreno in 2022. He filed for divorce in 2024 and subsequently sued her for defamation. Miller has also faced past accusations of abuse from former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who identified him as an ex-boyfriend in her 2021 memoir. Grisham later sued Miller for allegedly breaching a nondisclosure agreement related to these claims.
Poindexter, a union ironworker and former city councilman, also faced scrutiny during the campaign. Reports surfaced regarding a 2013 arrest and accusations of cocaine use, along with an alleged assault in the same year.
“I am disappointed at this evening’s election results,” Miller posted on X. “I am very grateful for every one of you that came out and voted for me. I will always be Team Ohio and Team America!”
Miller’s trial in the custody case was scheduled to begin on Thursday.