Democrat Brian Poindexter defeated Republican Rep. Max Miller in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, CBS News projected, following a campaign overshadowed by allegations of domestic abuse against the incumbent. Miller denied the allegations involving his ex-wife and young daughter, but the controversy helped make a northeastern Ohio district long held by Republicans competitive.
Miller resisted calls during the summer to leave the race before a deadline that would have permitted Republicans to put another candidate on the November ballot. The district’s changing outlook was reflected in assessments by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which moved the race from solid Republican earlier in the year to a toss-up in August.
Some Republicans also urged the two-term congressman to resign from office. Among them was his former father-in-law, Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, who accused Miller of “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” and said he “needs serious psychological help.” Moreno’s criticism later became part of Poindexter’s campaign advertising.
In early August, the House Ethics Committee said it was reviewing allegations involving domestic abuse and illegal drug use by Miller. No findings have been released. Before the committee’s announcement, Miller had said he would seek an ethics investigation into himself in an effort to clear his name. The bipartisan committee observes a 60-day blackout period before Election Day.
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana continued to support Miller’s reelection effort, saying “we have to let due process play out.” Johnson did not campaign alongside Miller, despite campaigning for vulnerable Republicans in recent weeks. In early October, he appeared in the nearby 9th District with Republican Derek Merrin, who was seeking to defeat longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Miller also attended President Trump’s Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown, where Trump thanked him for attending, but Miller did not speak.
Poindexter, a union ironworker who previously served on the Brook Park City Council, brought in substantially more money than Miller during the third quarter. Federal Election Commission records showed Poindexter raised $2.4 million, compared with Miller’s $145,000. Miller also lent his campaign $1 million.
Several Poindexter advertisements focused on the allegations against Miller. One used audio from Moreno’s August remarks to reporters, when the senator accused Miller of withholding his young daughter’s favorite blue bunny toy during a custody exchange.
Miller responded in a mid-October advertisement that criticized press coverage of his family’s difficulties. He again denied the abuse allegations and said he shared equal custody of his daughter. Although Miller and his ex-wife have finalized their divorce, their custody dispute remains ongoing.
