The Fall of Max Miller in Ohio’s 7th District
Max Miller has been ousted from his seat in Ohio’s 7th District, marking a significant political shift as he loses his reelection bid to Democrat Brian Poindexter. The defeat follows a turbulent campaign cycle defined by persistent allegations of domestic violence and a highly public divorce from Emily Moreno, the daughter of U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno. The election results, confirmed on November 3, 2026, signal a change in representation for a district that extends south of Cleveland’s suburbs.
The transition to Brian Poindexter—an ironworker and union organizer—marks the first time in decades that a Democrat will represent this territory. While Miller attempted to frame his personal life as a relatable struggle, the electorate ultimately pivoted toward a candidate whose campaign focused heavily on the incumbent’s character and the allegations against him.
As a father and husband, I can tell you the last two years have been pure hell for my wife Bridget, our daughter Emily, me, and our entire family in the aftermath of Emily's divorce. It has been horrific to watch this play out in full public view, all while knowing an innocent…
A Campaign Defined by Allegations
The controversy surrounding Miller centered on his 2022 marriage to Emily Moreno at Donald Trump’s club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and their subsequent divorce, which was finalized in 2025. According to court records, Moreno leveled serious accusations against her former husband, alleging that he held a gun to her head and scalded her with boiling water. Moreno claimed their toddler daughter, born in 2023, suffered a broken collarbone due to Miller’s actions.
Miller has consistently denied these claims, filing a defamation suit against his former wife. In an August 2026 interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he went further, accusing three women—including Moreno—of fabricating assault allegations against him. Despite these denials, the political pressure mounted throughout the summer. By early August 2026, even his former father-in-law, Senator Bernie Moreno, publicly called for his resignation.
Divorce is a painful reality for far too many families, and for two years, my family’s heartbreak has made national news because that is the nature of politics. The allegations against me have been proven false time and again, and I share equal custody of my daughter. Being her… pic.twitter.com/q87cBrQk6o
“If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them,” Senator Moreno stated. “He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
The Broader Political Reckoning
The loss in Ohio reflects a trend where some men in Congress accused of sexual misconduct have faced consequences, including multiple resignations, official censure, and a primary loss. For Miller, the strategy of leaning into his divorce as a “painful reality” proved ineffective against a campaign that amplified the specific nature of the abuse reports.
While Miller claimed in a mid-October campaign advertisement that the allegations were “proven false time and again,” New York Magazine reported that there was no such finding regarding the incident involving his daughter’s broken collarbone. A House ethics committee is investigating Miller for domestic violence and drug use allegations.
The Road Ahead for the 7th District
Brian Poindexter’s victory follows his career as an apprentice instructor at Ironworkers Local 17 and a union organizer. Poindexter successfully drew a contrast between his background and the legal turmoil engulfing his opponent.
For now, the people of Ohio’s 7th District have made their choice, closing the chapter on Miller’s tenure as the legal and ethical clouds hanging over his career persist.
More on Max Miller
I am disappointed at this evening’s election results. I have fought earnestly to continue to represent the interests of my home and community in the Ohio 7th District. We have achieved great things in the last four years and I am disheartened that I cannot continue the good…
