Max Miller remains in the race, as one deadline passes and another looms

Republicans have a drop-dead deadline of next week to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Miller on the ballot.

Miller, who has represented Northeast Ohio’s 7th Congressional District since 2023, faces domestic violence allegations by his ex-wife, the daughter of Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno. Miller and Emily Moreno were married from August 2022 to June 2025.

“This is truly the seventh level of hell,” Moreno said, per NBC. “This has been a horrific experience for my entire family.”

Miller had until 90 days before the election — 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 — to withdraw and set in motion a special primary election to select a replacement. Now, if he withdraws before Aug. 10, the chairs of the county Republican parties in his district — which includes all or parts of Ashland, Cuyahoga, Medina, and Wayne counties — could select a replacement.

According to reports from Politico and elsewhere, the White House is urging Miller to drop out of the race. Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and former congressional candidate J.R. Majewski have emerged as potential replacement candidates.

Miller has steadfastly denied the allegations.

“I’m not getting out of this race, and I’m winning in November,” Miller said during a livestream on X, Cleveland.com reported.

“These are incredibly serious criminal accusations, and if these accusations were true, I would be in jail,” the lawmaker added.

In light of all the renewed interest in my family affairs I am going to file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family. I have absolutely nothing to hide.

We will be providing the committee all…

— Max Miller (@MaxMillerOH) August 4, 2026

The U.S. House Committee on Ethics said it “is reviewing allegations that Representative Max Miller may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct.”

Separately, Aaron Minc, Miller’s attorney, took responsibility for including photos of the lawmaker’s two-year-old daughter, including one that “could be considered Child Sexual Abuse Material,” as part of Miller’s effort to defend himself, Politico reported.

On his radio program on Wednesday, Conservative talk show host Erick Erickson blasted Republicans for not forcing Miller from the race, which could have ramifications for other races on the ballot in November.

“You’re not willing to force Max Miller out of the race?” Erickson said. “Don’t tell me there’s no way to get him out of the race; of course there is. Apply the appropriate pressure and get him out of the race. You’re going to lose the Ohio Senate race. You’re going to lose the Ohio governor’s mansion. You’re going to lose a Republican congressional district because voters aren’t going to show up for this scumbag.

“…The moment that window closes, the media is going to pile on every Republican nationwide and say the Democrats got rid of Graham Platner, Eric Swalwell, and Joe Biden,” Erickson added. “Why didn’t you want to get rid of Max Miller? They will turn it into a national story for Republicans everywhere. Republicans, if you don’t get rid of Max Miller at this moment, you are going to cost yourselves multiple races, not just that race.”