Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio responded on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to the reelection defeat of his former son-in-law, fellow Republican Rep. Max Miller, by expressing hope that Miller would seek rehabilitation and be a good father. His remarks followed Miller’s loss in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District the previous week.
Asked about the election outcome by TMZ DC’s Charlie Cotton, Moreno said his concerns about Miller were personal rather than political. In a video posted on X, the senator described the situation as an unresolved family matter and pointed to Miller’s relationship with his granddaughter. Moreno’s daughter, Emily Moreno, is Miller’s former wife.
“It’s an ongoing family issue that I hope gets resolved,” Moreno said. He added that he wished Miller “nothing but, actually, rehabilitation and to actually be a good dad.” The reference to rehabilitation appeared to concern the domestic abuse allegations that drew widespread attention during the congressman’s reelection campaign.
Emily Moreno accused Miller earlier this year of physically abusing both her and their child. In court filings, she alleged that he threw hot water on her, held a gun against her head and broke their daughter’s collarbone during their relationship. Miller denied the allegations and subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against his former wife.
The allegations brought growing political pressure on Miller as he sought another term in Congress. When they gained broad attention in August, Sen. Moreno publicly urged him to resign. The senator said at the time that Miller required “serious psychological help” and argued that he should no longer hold a seat in the House.
In social media statements over the summer, Moreno questioned whether Miller met basic character standards for elected officials. He also said Miller needed professional treatment to address what the senator described as a pattern of abuse, expressing concern that others could remain at risk until he received help.
Miller’s campaign ended in defeat last week when Democrat Brain Poindexter won the district, unseating the two-term Republican. The Democratic victory surprised the GOP because President Trump had carried the district by a double-digit margin in 2024. Moreno’s Tuesday comments returned attention to the continuing family dispute following that unexpected electoral result.
