Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, could withdraw from his campaign for another term in Congress as early as the end of this week, according to a report from Axios citing sources familiar with internal Republican discussions.
The report comes as Miller continues to face intense public scrutiny stemming from a highly contentious divorce and domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio.
Despite speculation surrounding his political future, Miller’s supporters told Axios they believe the congressman has no intention of stepping aside. They argued that his recent decision to invest $1 million into his reelection campaign demonstrates his commitment to remaining in the race and reflects his insistence that he has done nothing wrong.
According to one colleague quoted by the outlet, Miller is deeply concerned about how the controversy will affect his young daughter in the future. Another source said withdrawing from the race would be viewed by many as an admission of guilt, despite Miller’s repeated denials.
“If he quits, he’s basically giving up. And if he gives up, it basically means he did it,” one source told Axios.
Even so, Axios reported that some Republicans privately expect Miller to end his reelection campaign before the week concludes, citing two anonymous sources familiar with internal conversations.
The allegations against Miller have dominated headlines in recent weeks. Emily Moreno has accused the Ohio congressman of multiple acts of domestic abuse, including claims that he scalded her with hot water from a skillet, pointed a gun at her head, and broke their toddler daughter’s collarbone.
Miller has forcefully denied each allegation.
He also pushed back against a separate accusation from Sen. Bernie Moreno that he refused to return the couple’s 2-year-old daughter’s stuffed blue bunny, dismissing the claim as a “lie.”
Miller, who first entered Congress in January 2023, is also facing growing political challenges. A recent poll showed Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter leading among likely general election voters, with 47 percent support compared to Miller’s 33 percent.
The congressman recently defended himself during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, once again maintaining that he is innocent of the allegations against him. The appearance generated criticism, including from one Republican operative who reportedly reacted to the interview by telling CNN, “What the absolute f*ck was that?”
In the wake of the renewed attention surrounding the accusations, Miller announced that he would seek an ethics investigation into his own conduct.
“In light of all the renewed interest in my family affairs I am going to file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family. I have absolutely nothing to hide,” Miller wrote in a social media post Tuesday.
The move, according to Miller, is intended to publicly address the allegations and provide an official review of the claims that have overshadowed both his personal life and political career.
Representatives for Miller could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the Axios report suggesting that some Republicans expect him to withdraw from the race.
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