The Cook Political Report shifted Rep. Max Miller‘s (R-OH) seat from “likely Republican” to “toss up” over increasing pressure around domestic abuse allegations leveled by his ex-wife.
Miller is under intense pressure from within his own party to drop out of the race after his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), accused him of the physical abuse of her and their daughter and of illegal drug use. Both Ohio senators have called on Miller to drop out, and he’s under a House Ethics Committee investigation. Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate. This stubbornness could cost Republicans another seat, as the Cook Political Report has shifted the race to a toss-up over the scandal.
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“The serious nature of the allegations — he’s been accused of throwing hot water at his wife, holding a gun to her head and fracturing his two-year-old daughter’s collarbone — make it much more difficult for Miller to hold his northeast Ohio seat, which typically favors Republicans but is a light enough shade of red to be competitive in a Democratic wave year,” the Cook Political Report wrote in an update.
It noted that allegations of misconduct or abuse against women leveled against candidates in competitive districts this election cycle have sunk several other campaigns, including Graham Platner, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), and former Reps. Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell.
Recent polling has Miller being crushed by his Democratic rival, Brian Poindexter, in the general election. A recent co/efficient poll gave Poindexter a 14-point lead over Miller, jumping from a 4-point lead the week before.
MAX MILLER’S SUPPORT CRUMBLES BACK HOME AND IN WASHINGTON OVER ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
Despite this, Miller has publicly remained confident in his chances of winning.
“What you’re going to see here, Jake, is that I am going to be successful this November because my constituents know who I am, and they also know who my ex-father-in-law is, and they also know who my ex-wife is, and that’s why you’ve seen people aren’t running from me,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview last week. “My numbers in fundraising are strong. You know, Speaker Mike Johnson, everyone else, they’re standing behind me. No one has told me to get off the ballot, and that’s because they know I can win this seat.”
