OHIO — Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for U.S. Rep. Max Miller to resign and demanding a congressional ethics investigation following allegations of domestic abuse, child injury, and a physical altercation with his ex-wife's attorney. The deadline for replacing the Republican congressman on the ballot in Ohio is Wednesday, though no Republican official has publicly pushed to remove him.

The House Democratic Women’s Caucus, led by chair Teresa Leger Fernández and vice chairs Emilia Sykes and Hillary Scholten, formally requested an ethics probe into Miller. "The recent reports of domestic violence and child abuse against Representative Max Miller are deeply disturbing and Congress can’t ignore them," wrote the three representatives. They added that "allegations of violence against women and children have to be met with the utmost seriousness."

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown also weighed in on the situation, stating it would be wise for Miller to resign. Democrats have further suggested directing more resources toward Miller's Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, in the fall election. Poindexter, a union ironworker, has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and reported a surge in social media followers in recent weeks.

The calls for resignation follow a series of legal filings and police reports involving Miller’s personal life. In May 2025, Miller was involved in a physical altercation with Andrew Zashin, the attorney for Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno. A court filing alleges that Miller shouted insults at Zashin and goaded him to "Come at me!" outside a court hearing.

Lawyers for Moreno subsequently asked a judge for a temporary restraining order barring Miller from contact with Zashin. Another filing alleges that Miller physically grabbed Zashin during a proceeding on Tuesday.

Emily Moreno, who is the daughter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, alleged in court filings that Miller threw hot water at her during their marriage. Police reports show that Moreno alleged Miller threw her against a wall, resulting in an obvious grab mark on her upper arm, held a gun to her head, and threw hot water on her. According to police reports, Moreno also recounted her child telling her 'Daddy kill you' and stated that her daughter received physical injuries while in Miller's care. A recent article in Mother Jones magazine reported that Moreno contacted authorities regarding a broken collarbone on her and Miller's 2-year-old daughter.

Miller and Moreno were married in 2022 and finalized their divorce last year. They presented different theories about how their daughter's injury occurred, according to court filings and police reports. Last spring, Miller’s spokesperson provided documentation showing that several allegations of abuse against his daughter were investigated by the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services in 2023 and deemed unsubstantiated. Miller has denied allegations of domestic abuse and was never charged with a crime regarding the allegations made by Moreno.

The controversies surrounding Miller escalated in July with the filing of a new lawsuit by Stephanie Grisham, a former White House press secretary and Miller’s ex-girlfriend. Grisham filed the lawsuit on July 7, accusing Miller of violating terms of a confidential settlement agreement they struck to resolve his 2021 lawsuit against her. She alleged in the new suit that Miller dragged her name into his dispute with Moreno and violated their agreement not to disparage each other.

Grisham previously stated in her book and op-ed that a former White House staffer, later identified as Miller, had physically abused her while they were dating. According to court documents, their relationship ended when he pushed her against a wall and slapped her in the face in his Washington apartment after she accused him of cheating. Miller's 2021 lawsuit against Grisham alleged she defamed him in her book and in the op-ed. Miller served as a White House adviser during President Donald Trump’s first term, working as a senior advisor in the Office of Public Liaison.

Republican officials have largely remained silent on the possibility of replacing Miller on the ballot. Those who have commented stated that Miller has delivered for his district and remains electable in November. Miller won his congressional district two years ago with just over 51% of the vote.

The district, which stretches south from Cleveland, was won decisively by Donald Trump in the previous presidential election. Advisers to President Trump are monitoring the situation, and the House Majority PAC stated it is monitoring the dynamics of the race in Ohio's 7th Congressional District.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine addressed the accusations in an interview, stating they were troubling and very serious. However, DeWine said that Miller’s fate should be up to voters. Senator Bernie Moreno’s spokeswoman issued a statement saying the senator was focused on his family. The National Republican Congressional Committee declined to discuss whether it would match any influx of Democratic cash, despite Miller having significantly outraised Poindexter.

Why It Matters

The situation tests whether serious allegations of domestic and child abuse can alter the trajectory of a competitive congressional race in a district won decisively by Donald Trump. With the ballot replacement deadline approaching and no Republican officials pushing to remove Miller, the outcome may determine if voter sentiment or party loyalty prevails in November. The influx of Democratic resources and national attention toward Miller's opponent signals a potential shift in strategy for contested seats involving personal conduct controversies.