The Republican representative for Ohio, Max Miller, assured this Sunday that he will continue with his re-election campaign for the legislative elections on November 3, despite the serious accusations of domestic violence presented by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who accuses him of having threatened her with a firearm and of having committed multiple physical attacks during their marriage.
In a video broadcast on his "I'm not going to withdraw from this race. I'm going to win in November," declared the legislator, who maintained that the case is part of a family dispute that has transcended the public sphere.
The congressman also stated that his campaign represents more than just preserving a Republican seat in the House of Representatives. “This election is about more than winning a seat for the Republican Party in November: it's about my family, it's about our daughter, it's about preserving our values, and it's about holding accountable the media and others who have acted incredibly recklessly,” he said.
Complaints increase political pressure
The allegations by Emily Moreno, daughter of Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, describe alleged episodes of violence that occurred during the marriage. In court documents, the ex-wife alleges that Miller pointed a gun at her head, threw hot water at her, causing burns to her chest and abdomen, fracturing her collarbone and causing bruises on her shoulder.
The documentation presented in court also includes the story that their daughter even told her mother: “Dad is going to kill you.” Miller categorically denied the allegations and said he will use his platform to publicly defend himself.
"I'm going to use my platform to lay out the facts in a very honest way. And let me start with the most painful accusation of all: I have never abused our daughter," he said. The legislator also rejected any responsibility for the broken collarbone that the minor suffered during the custody dispute, an episode that is part of the judicial investigation.
Bernie Moreno breaks the silence
Miller's statements were responded to hours later by Senator Bernie Moreno, who for the first time publicly condemned his former son-in-law's conduct. "If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller does not meet them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives," the senator wrote in X.
Moreno added that Miller "needs serious psychological help. She is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute that she has custody of my granddaughter."
For his part, Stefan Mychajliw, spokesperson for Emily Moreno, described the congressman's video as “shameful” and maintained that “no loving father would have ever used his daughter as a public relations pawn to save his own political career.” The controversy has altered the political landscape in the northeast Ohio district. Before the scandal, Republicans considered the seat practically assured, but now Democrats see an opportunity to compete with greater possibilities.
Even within the Republican Party, names of possible replacements began to emerge before the deadline to replace candidates, although Miller reiterated that he will remain on the ballot.
As the court proceedings and the custody dispute over the former couple's daughter continue, calls from Democratic lawmakers for Miller to resign and face an ethics investigation in the House of Representatives keep the case at the center of the political debate heading into the midterm elections.
