Democrats Eye Potential House Seat Gain Amid Abuse Allegations Against Rep. Miller
WHO:
PBS - U.S. Rep. Max Miller, a White House adviser during Trump’s first term; Emily Moreno, Miller's ex-wife and daughter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio; Brian Poindexter, Democratic opponent; U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Cleveland Democrat; Democratic Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández, Emilia Sykes, and Hillary Scholten; Republican Gov. Mike DeWine; Trump’s closest advisers.
WHAT:
Fox News - Max Miller stated, "I have nothing to hide," while addressing the abuse allegations made by his ex-wife during a live session on X.
Newsweek - Miller claimed that the allegations against him have "damaged his reputation and caused enormous pain to his family."
AP News - Emily Moreno's lawyers requested a temporary restraining order against Miller, alleging he shouted insults and physically grabbed her attorney, Andrew Zashin, during court proceedings.
AP News - A court filing quotes Miller's own lawyer stating that Miller "just can't control himself."
AP News - Miller's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, filed a new lawsuit on July 7, accusing him of violating a confidential settlement agreement by disparaging her in his dispute with Moreno.
PBS - Allegations against Max Miller include claims of domestic abuse, which he has denied.
PBS - Miller won his district with just over 51% of the vote two years ago.
PBS - Democrats have called for Miller to resign and requested a congressional ethics investigation.
PBS - The House Majority PAC is monitoring the race dynamics and is willing to invest in the Democratic campaign.
PBS - Miller has filed defamation lawsuits against his ex-wife and a second accuser.
PBS - A broken collarbone on Miller's 2-year-old daughter led to authorities being contacted.
PBS - Miller has significantly outraised Poindexter, although Poindexter's campaign has seen a surge in social media followers.
PBS - Stephanie Grisham, Miller's ex-girlfriend, filed a lawsuit against him for violating a confidential settlement agreement.
WHERE:
PBS - The congressional seat is located in northeast Ohio, specifically a district that stretches south from Cleveland.
WHEN:
PBS - The deadline for replacing Miller on the ballot is Wednesday.
PBS - Grisham's lawsuit was filed on July 7.
WHY:
AP News - Poindexter stated that the allegations against Miller "deserve the full attention of law enforcement" and suggested that if proven true, Miller "should be in jail, not worried about retaining a seat in Congress."
PBS - Democrats see an opportunity to flip the seat due to the mounting pressure on Miller from domestic abuse allegations.
PBS - The allegations against Miller are seen as potentially damaging to his re-election campaign.
HOW:
PBS - The House Majority PAC is strategizing to push deeper into GOP territory in the midterm elections.
PBS - Emily Moreno's lawyers filed for a temporary restraining order against Miller, citing incidents of physical aggression.
(UPDATED August 2, 2026 23:50 UTC)
Max Miller addressed the abuse allegations made by his ex-wife during a live session on X, stating, "I have nothing to hide." He also claimed that these allegations have "damaged his reputation and caused enormous pain to his family." The comments were made during a broadcast on Fox News.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 15:53 UTC)
Emily Moreno's lawyers have requested a temporary restraining order against Miller, claiming he shouted insults and physically grabbed her attorney during court proceedings. In a court filing, Miller's own lawyer admitted that he "just can't control himself," while Miller's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, has filed a new lawsuit accusing him of violating a confidential settlement agreement. Poindexter emphasized that the allegations against Miller "deserve the full attention of law enforcement" and suggested that if proven true, Miller "should be in jail, not worried about retaining a seat in Congress."
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 07:31 UTC)
Allegations of domestic abuse against Max Miller have sparked significant controversy, with Democrats calling for his resignation and a congressional ethics investigation. Miller, who won his district in northeast Ohio with just over 51% of the vote two years ago, has denied the claims and filed defamation lawsuits against his ex-wife and another accuser, while also facing pressure from the House Majority PAC, which is eager to capitalize on the situation in the upcoming midterm elections. As the deadline for replacing Miller on the ballot approaches this Wednesday, the political landscape is shifting, with his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, gaining traction amid a surge in social media followers.