Poindexter Defeats Miller in Ohio House Race Amid Abuse Allegations

Republican Rep. Max Miller has lost his reelection campaign in Ohio's 7th Congressional District to Democrat Brian Poindexter, according to projections published November 4, 2026. The result follows months of domestic violence allegations from Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, which became a central issue in the contest.

Poindexter, an ironworker and City Council member from Brook Park, defeated an incumbent who had been considered a strong favorite. The district includes Cleveland's southern and western suburbs, along with communities around Medina and Ashland.

The Cook Political Report classified the contest as a toss-up. Miller had previously won the district by 15 percentage points in 2024, while Donald Trump carried the district by 11 points that year.

The victory makes Poindexter the first Democrat to represent the district in decades. NBC News projected his victory, while Decision Desk HQ also projected that Miller would lose.

Miller, 37, has represented the district since 2023 and previously worked as a White House aide and political operative during Trump's first administration. His political career also included an earlier controversy involving allegations of physical abuse from former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, which he denied.

During the 2026 campaign, allegations surrounding his divorce from Emily Moreno received significant attention. Court records included accusations that Miller held a gun to Moreno's head, threw hot water on her and pushed her against a wall. Miller has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Miller released documents and audio recordings involving conversations with Moreno and defended himself in a lengthy social media broadcast. He questioned whether the accusations were credible by referring to interactions between the former couple after the alleged incidents.

"Ask yourself: If I had assaulted her, would she have offered to cook me dinner six days later? Would she have invited me to spend an afternoon at the playground with her and our daughter? Would she have written that we were in a friendlier place?" Miller said in a video released during the summer.

Moreno's spokesperson Stefan Mychajliw rejected Miller's public defense and criticized his response to the allegations.

"Unhinged and humiliating," Mychajliw called the video, describing Miller's denials as lies and saying Moreno was "confident that justice will prevail in court."

The controversy also prompted criticism from Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, Emily Moreno's father. He publicly questioned Miller's suitability for public office and expressed concerns about his granddaughter's safety.

"I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter," Bernie Moreno said.

The senator also explained why he had decided to speak publicly about the family dispute, despite initially wanting to avoid public involvement.

"Miller's increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior has made that impossible," he said, adding that Miller did not meet the basic character standards expected of elected officials.

"If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them," Bernie Moreno said. He also declared that Miller "should not serve in the House of Representatives."

Despite calls from Bernie Moreno and other Republicans to withdraw before the deadline for replacing a candidate on the ballot, Miller continued his campaign. He also attempted to appeal to voters experiencing marital separations by presenting his divorce as a personal struggle.

Poindexter and Democratic allies made the allegations a major campaign issue. His supporters included progressive figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep.

Ro Khanna, D-Calif., as well as Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who backed him after his primary victory over former Ohio legislator Ed FitzGerald.

Poindexter also emphasized his background in organized labor and his plans to represent working-class communities in Congress. He previously voted Republican in his 20s before becoming more aligned with Democrats, drawing inspiration from Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign and Sanders' 2016 presidential bid.

His economic platform included support for targeted trade protections, manufacturing investment and stronger union rights. He described his approach to trade as "targeted tariffs to protect jobs" and supported "working towards universal health care over time," according to comments reported by the Akron Beacon Journal.

Republicans also challenged Poindexter over his previous arrests and criminal charges. He told NBC News that a 1999 felonious assault charge had been reduced to a misdemeanor. He also faced misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges in 2002 and 2003 following fights at Cleveland Browns games.

Poindexter acknowledged his past during the campaign, saying that becoming a father at 22 helped him change his behavior. His campaign used the issue to contrast his personal history with the allegations against Miller.

"I was young and dumb, but I turned my life around. That was 25 years ago. But Max Miller, even after at least three women have accused Miller of violence and brutality, all Miller does is attack and lie," Poindexter said in a television advertisement.

The election outcome turns a previously Republican-leaning congressional seat into a Democratic victory after a campaign shaped by personal allegations, competing character attacks and Poindexter's message on workers' rights.