Controversial ex-Trump aide Max Miller could win election to Congress following Republican Rep. Bob Gibbs’s recent announcement that he will retire. Miller, who has been backed by Trump in his bid for Congress both before and after switching districts, faces domestic abuse allegations from another former Trump aide, his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Grisham.
Gibbs announced his retirement earlier this month, citing the “circus” of Ohio’s redistricting process as the reason for his decision. Gibbs’s statement did not name Miller, but he would have faced a tough primary fight against him. House Republicans are counting on winning the seat as part of its efforts to gain the majority, which would require a net pick-up of at least five districts in the 435-member chamber.
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Trump first endorsed Miller to challenge Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, an Ohio Republican who voted to impeach him in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. But Gonzalez ultimately decided against seeking reelection, citing threats his family faced after his vote as part of his decision-making. Trump has recruited primary challengers to Republicans who either voted to impeach him or did not back his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Ohio’s redistricting process later left much of the district that Gonzalez represents to the one represented by Gibbs, and so, Miller sought to primary Gibbs instead.
Despite Gibbs being closely aligned with Trump, including voting against certifying the results of the 2020 election and filing articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden, Trump offered Miller his support in the new district. When Gibbs announced his retirement, Trump issued a statement praising his “wonderful and accomplished career.”
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But Miller is no stranger to controversy outside a game of musical chairs over districts. Grisham, a former White House press secretary, alleged Miller physically abused her during their relationship. Miller later sued Grisham for defamation, claiming she made the allegations to promote her tell-all book about the Trump administration.
Miller was also subpoenaed in December by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
