Rep. Max Miller’s once-favored reelection bid is facing new trouble after the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the Ohio Republican’s race from “Likely Republican” to “Toss Up” on Monday amid mounting allegations of domestic violence.
Miller has come under increasing scrutiny following allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who accused the congressman of throwing hot water at her, pointing a gun at her head and breaking their daughter’s collarbone.
Miller has denied the allegations and vowed to remain in the race, even as Senate Republicans increasingly call for him to resign and polling shows him falling behind Democratic opponent Brian Poindexter.
A co/efficient polling memo released last week showed Poindexter leading Miller by 14 points. A previous survey had put the difference between the candidates at just 5 points.
The latest poll also found that 48% of voters said what they had seen, read or heard about Miller made them less likely to support him. Among Republicans, 37% said they were less likely to back the incumbent.
Despite the controversy, Miller is now set to remain on the ballot in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.
A Monday deadline passed for county chairs in the district to nominate a replacement Republican candidate if Miller had withdrawn from the contest.
Miller insisted last week that voters in his district know him and predicted he would prevail in November.
“I have the utmost confidence that my constituents back home know me. This race is a home race,” Miller told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Miller said his constituents also know his ex-wife and former father-in-law and argued that supporters have not abandoned his campaign.
The congressman pointed to his fundraising numbers and support from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., as evidence that he remains capable of winning the seat.
“No one has told me to get off the ballot, and that’s because they know I can win this seat,” Miller said.
Johnson told Politico’s Dasha Burns last week that he would not call on Miller to withdraw.
The speaker acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but said the process surrounding them should be allowed to continue.
“These are serious allegations,” Johnson said, noting that he is the father of two daughters who work on Capitol Hill.
“I think Max is taking them seriously, I think our colleagues are, but again, we have to allow this process to play out. It’s just begun,” Johnson added.
Miller is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations involving domestic violence and illegal drug use.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, Miller’s former father-in-law, has called for the congressman to resign.
A growing number of Moreno’s Senate Republican colleagues have also urged Miller either to step down from Congress or abandon his reelection campaign.
Miller, however, has remained defiant, insisting he will stay in the race as the Cook Political Report’s latest rating underscores the mounting political fallout surrounding his campaign.
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