Republican Congressman Max Miller is facing increasing pressure to resign from his Ohio seat as disturbing domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, have resurfaced and intensified. The accusations, which Miller denies, have led to harsh criticism from within his own party and a stark warning from a Republican insider who stated, "Max Miller's political career is toast."
Miller, a former aide to President Donald Trump, has until August 10 to withdraw his candidacy for the November midterm elections. After this deadline, local party officials will be unable to replace him on the ballot, meaning Republicans would be formally tied to his re-election campaign.
Escalating Accusations and Public Scrutiny
The controversy gained a new, widely publicized dimension when Miller's ex-father-in-law, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, publicly recounted an incident where Miller allegedly withheld a "little blue bunny" – a stuffed animal belonging to his two-year-old daughter – for two days. Moreno described the action as an act of "total and complete depravity."
Miller has contested this account, asserting on social media platform X that his daughter received the toy back within 14 hours, not 48. He posted screenshots of purported text messages and emails as evidence, indicating that the toy was returned after arrangements were made through a parenting coordinator, but he refused to hand it over to an unapproved family friend. Miller demanded that Senator Moreno collect the stuffed animal himself.
Images circulated by the Daily Mail, reportedly taken by Emily Moreno, show a syringe in Miller's bedroom and another of him holding a bag of marijuana gummies. Miller has admitted to using syringes for testosterone treatment, a fact he states he disclosed to his ex-wife. He has also acknowledged past use of illegal drugs "several years ago" but could not provide a specific timeframe. He has vehemently denied ever abusing his ex-wife or their daughter.
Additional scrutiny has come from Miller's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, former press secretary for Trump. Grisham filed a petition for a restraining order against Miller this week, alleging that promises made in a previous settlement agreement have been broken. Miller has not publicly commented on the restraining order.
Political Fallout and Electoral Concerns
Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, who initially suggested the matter be handled at a family level, has now called for Miller to step aside, stating it would be the "right decision." Other Republican lawmakers, including Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas and Senator Rick Scott of Florida, have also publicly stated that Miller should resign.
Despite the mounting pressure, Miller has remained defiant, declaring his intention to stay in the race and win in November. He has drawn parallels between his situation and Trump's 2016 campaign challenges. President Trump, who endorsed Miller in May, has reportedly told the congressman that "Things aren't looking good" but has stated he will not intervene in Miller's congressional race.
Concerns about Miller's re-election prospects have been amplified by a recent poll conducted by Co/Efficient. The survey indicates Miller is trailing his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, by 14 points, a significant drop from a five-point deficit just a week prior. The pollster attributed this collapse to increased voter awareness of the domestic abuse allegations.
Republican party leaders are reportedly discussing potential replacements should Miller withdraw before the August 10 deadline. The House Ethics Committee has formally opened an investigation into the domestic violence and drug abuse accusations, a move Miller himself requested to clear his name.