Ohio Rep. Max Miller Loses Seat to Brian Poindexter

Brian Poindexter defeated incumbent Republican Representative Max Miller in Ohio's 7th Congressional District. CBS News projected the win for the Democrat, ending Miller's two-term tenure in Congress. The result shifts a seat that has long favored the Republican Party in northeastern Ohio.

Miller faced intense pressure to step down before the election. He refused to resign by the deadline that would have allowed the Republican Party to place a different candidate on the November ballot. The Cook Political Report initially rated the race as solid for Republicans. However, the group moved the contest to a toss-up in August following public allegations.

The campaign centered on claims of domestic abuse involving Miller’s ex-wife and young daughter. Miller denied the allegations throughout the process. His former father-in-law, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, pushed for Miller’s resignation. Moreno described the congressman’s behavior as increasingly erratic and dangerous. He stated that Miller needed serious psychological help.

The House Ethics Committee began reviewing the allegations in early August. The panel examined claims of abuse and illegal drug use. The committee has not released final findings due to a 60-day blackout period before Election Day. Speaker Mike Johnson supported Miller’s bid to stay on the ballot. Johnson said the party must let due process play out, but he did not campaign alongside Miller in the district.

Poindexter, a union ironworker and former Brook Park City Council member, raised more money than Miller in the third quarter. Federal Election Commission records show Poindexter raised $2.4 million. Miller raised $145,000 and loaned his own campaign $1 million. Poindexter used the fundraising advantage to air ads highlighting the abuse allegations. One ad featured audio of Senator Moreno discussing a custody dispute over a blue bunny toy.

Miller responded with his own advertising campaign in mid-October. He criticized the media for amplifying his family’s heartbreak. In the ad, he reaffirmed that he has equal custody of his daughter. The couple’s divorce is finalized, but they remain in a custody battle. Miller attended President Trump’s rally in Youngstown on October 12, but he did not speak.