Max Miller scandal threatens Ohio GOP hold on the 7th Congressional District

Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio’s 7th district is under a House Ethics Committee investigation after his ex-wife Emily Moreno—the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno—accused him of domestic violence, including claims that he scalded her with hot water, held a gun to her head and fractured their two-year-old daughter’s collarbone. A dispute also centers on Miller’s alleged refusal to return the child’s “little blue bunny” stuffed animal, which Moreno said was held for 48 hours. Miller denies the allegations and says he has “receipts” to refute them.

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Ohio has been reliably Republican since 2016, but the 2026 midterms feature several competitive statewide races, including a Senate special election and a governor’s race. The 7th district, traditionally Republican, is now viewed as a potential Democratic pickup because of the Miller controversy.

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A newly released poll shows Miller trailing Democrat Brian Poindexter by 14 points in the 7th district. Political scientists note the district’s Republican lean is narrow enough for a Democrat to win under current conditions.

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• Robert Alexander, political-science professor at Bowling Green State University, said the environment is “much more challenging” for Ohio Republicans this year.

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• Mehek Cooke, an Ohio Republican strategist, called Miller an “unnecessary distraction.”

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• Zach Bannon, spokesperson for the House Republican campaign arm, asserted the 7th district “will remain red this November.”

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• Bernie Moreno demanded Miller’s resignation, describing the bunny incident as “total and complete depravity.”

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• Jon Husted, Republican Senate candidate, urged Miller to “step aside as a candidate.”

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• House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to comment on specifics, saying the Ethics Committee process should “play out.”

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Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) labeled Miller “a degenerate sociopath” and warned that keeping him in the race could jeopardize the GOP’s House majority. Both Moreno and Husted have called for Miller’s resignation, citing the allegations as a liability.

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• “In an environment where Republicans have been particularly strong in Ohio, this year’s environment is going to be much more challenging for them, and this certainly doesn’t help things,” — Robert Alexander

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• “Republicans should take this race seriously [and] put forward candidates who reflect our values and keep the focus on delivering results,” — Mehek Cooke

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• “Ohio’s 7th congressional district is a Republican seat that strongly backed President Trump and consistently rejects the radical left’s agenda. It will remain red this November,” — Zach Bannon

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• “Max would not hand over the little blue bunny,” — Sen. Bernie Moreno

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• “It took five lawyers to get the blue bunny back, 48 hours later” — Sen. Bernie Moreno

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Miller maintains the accusations are unfounded and that he possesses evidence to counter them, while Emily Moreno and her father present detailed allegations, including text-message excerpts and the bunny dispute. The Ethics Committee’s investigation is ongoing, with no formal findings released.

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Ohio GOP officials have set a deadline for the party to select a replacement nominee should Miller withdraw. The House Ethics Committee’s timeline for concluding its inquiry has not been disclosed, leaving the district’s November ballot and the broader GOP midterm strategy in uncertainty.

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