Max Miller Won't Quit Ohio Race as Deadline Nears

Rep. Max Miller says he is pressing ahead with his reelection campaign in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, days before the deadline that would let the Republican Party replace him on the November ballot.

According to court documents, Miller's ex-wife accused him of attacking her with boiling water and breaking their daughter's collarbone. Miller strongly denies the allegations.

Both of Ohio's senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, have called on Miller to end his campaign and resign from Congress. Moreno is Miller's former father-in-law. Miller has until Monday to withdraw while still giving Republicans time to name a replacement.

Ideastream Public Media's Gabriel Kramer, reporting for NPR, found divided opinions across the district. At the Medina County Fair, Republican voter Braeden Huth of Medina said Miller should step aside. "I support Max Miller, but I believe he should drop out and listen to what Husted says," Huth said. "And Bernie's a smart man. If Bernie says it's true, then it's probably true." He added that "due to the allegations, I don't think he'll win the race. The publicity's bad."

The redrawn district also takes in parts of Cuyahoga County, though not Cleveland itself. In the suburb of Strongsville, Democratic voter Chris King said it was "ridiculous that people could still support somebody who beats his wife, threatens people." Another Democrat, Denice Cipiti, said she hoped Miller would stay in for strategic reasons: "I think he's going to lose for all his personal stuff."

The Strongsville GOP canceled a rally for Miller scheduled for Monday. Chairman Shannon Burns said in a statement that "threats and intimidation have succeeded in shutting down a peaceful political gathering focused on election integrity."

The Cook Political Report rates the contest between Miller and Democrat Brian Poindexter as likely Republican. Local analyst Tom Sutton said he does not expect Miller to quit, suggesting the congressman is "banking on the possibility" that his requested House Ethics Committee review produces something less than a censure. Sutton said conservative voters may simply skip the race, opening a path for Poindexter.

Medina County Republican volunteers were instructed to tell reporters there is "a presumption of innocence until guilt is proven." Miller ran uncontested in the May 5 GOP primary.