Rep. Miller defies calls to step aside over abuse claims by Sen. Moreno's daughter

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Aug 3, 2026

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Embattled Republican Rep. Max Miller is defying calls to step aside ahead of a Wednesday deadline to drop his congressional reelection bid amid his ex-wife’s father Sen. Bernie Moreno demands for his resignation over domestic violence allegations.

Miller, a former aide to President Donald Trump, says he won’t drop his bid for a third term from a red-leaning Ohio district and denounces as a hoax the claims that he abused his former wife, Emily Moreno, and that he is responsible for their daughter breaking her collarbone while in his care.

“I’m not dropping out of this race and I’ll win in November,” Miller said in a brief video announcement.

Miller put out the statement after his ex-father-in-law and fellow Republican demanded Miller leave Congress.

“If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them,” Moreno, R-Ohio, tweeted. “He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”

Moreno added that Miller “needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”

If Miller, who won his Republican primary unopposed, reverses course and drops out of the race by Aug, 5, GOP leaders could pick a replacement candidate to run in the November midterms general election.

Trump carried the district, which stretches south from the outskirts of Cleveland into rural farmland, by 11% in 2024. But Democrat Brian Poindexter is a modest favorite to flip the seat if Miller remains his opponent amid the scandal.

Trump, who backs both Moreno and Miller, has declined to comment on the GOP family drama and appeared to downplay the allegations against Miller.

“So far it’s accusations,” Trump said late Sunday as he flew back to Washington, D.C.

Emily Moreno says Miller scalded, hit and threatened her with a gun during their two year marriage in a child-custody battle that has led to a sprawling legal fight between the ex-couple.

Miller denies all he charges and says his ex-wife has mental problems. He says he had nothing to do with a broken collarbone suffered by their 2-year-old daughter that led Emily Moreno to contact authorities.

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