OHIO — Senator Jim Banks said Representative Max Miller should drop his re-election bid and resign if the domestic violence allegations against him are true. The Ohio congressman denied the accusations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and vowed to remain in the race despite calls from multiple Republican colleagues to step aside.

Banks made his remarks during an appearance on a television program on August 9, 2026. He stated that the claims were deeply troubling and posed a risk to the party's efforts to maintain its majority in the House of Representatives.

"He should drop out because of the allegations against him," he said. He added that if the allegations were proven true, resignation would be the appropriate course of action.

"If the allegations are true and watching this play out publicly, of course he should resign," he said. He also expressed concern for the children involved in the dispute and stated his hope that justice would prevail in the case.

Miller is facing allegations from Moreno, who is the daughter of Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio. Documents released by Moreno's lawyer accuse Miller of throwing her against a wall, holding a gun to her head, and throwing hot water on her. Miller has not faced criminal charges related to these allegations.

In response to the public emergence of the claims, Miller posted a livestream denying the domestic violence allegations. He stated that he had "absolutely nothing to hide" regarding the situation. Miller confirmed on Saturday that he would stay in the re-election race.

Miller ran uncontested in the May 5 GOP primary. He has called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations against him. Additionally, Miller sued Moreno alleging defamation, though her lawyers have moved to dismiss the lawsuit.

Senator Bernie Moreno publicly denounced Miller after the congressman posted his denial. In a statement, Senator Moreno said Miller "is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter." Other Republican lawmakers have also voiced support for Miller's removal from the ticket.

Senator Tim Sheehy called Miller "a degenerate sociopath" and said he should step aside. Senator Jon Husted said Miller "would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter." Senators Katie Britt and Roger Marshall also told media outlets that Miller should resign.

The timeline for any potential replacement is constrained by state election rules. A spokesperson for the office of the Ohio secretary of state stated that Monday is the deadline to replace a candidate. The Ohio secretary of state's office set the deadline for replacing a candidate as August 10, 2026, for political party nominating committees to certify the name of anyone filling a vacancy caused by withdrawal or disqualification.

Local officials indicated that no immediate steps had been taken to fill the spot. Matt Miller, the chairman of Ashland County and the mayor of Ashland, stated on Saturday that no meeting had been scheduled to replace Representative Max Miller. Meanwhile, a Republican organization canceled an event Miller was expected to headline in his district, citing security concerns.

The situation places pressure on the Republican Party's electoral strategy in Ohio's 7th congressional district as the general election approaches. With Miller running uncontested in the primary, the party now faces a tight deadline to certify a new candidate if he withdraws or is disqualified. The August 10, 2026 deadline limits the time available for political party nominating committees to organize and select a replacement.

The involvement of high-profile Republican senators shows the internal party dynamics surrounding the allegations. While Miller maintains his innocence and seeks an ethics investigation, the public statements from colleagues such as Banks, Moreno, and Husted reflect a division over how to handle the crisis. The outcome will determine whether the party can present a unified front in the upcoming election or if it must navigate a last-minute candidate change.

Why It Matters

The dispute tests the Republican Party's ability to maintain its House majority while managing internal pressure from multiple senators calling for resignation. With an August 10 deadline to certify a replacement candidate, the situation creates a narrow window for local committees to organize if Miller withdraws or is disqualified. The allegations also highlight a rift within a prominent political family, as Senator Bernie Moreno publicly labels his son-in-law a danger to his daughter and granddaughter.