Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) will appear on the November ballot for reelection, effectively closing the window for Ohio Republicans to replace him despite escalating pressure from within the party.
Under Ohio election law, Republicans faced a Monday, 4 p.m. deadline to name a replacement nominee. But local Republican officials tasked with selecting a new candidate required at least two days' notice before meeting—meaning Miller needed to withdraw by Saturday for the party to complete the process in time.
Miller did not withdraw by the Saturday cutoff. He could still remove his name from the ballot, but doing so would leave Ohio's 7th Congressional District without a Republican nominee. The district has historically been reliably Republican.
The deadline passed following a week of intense Republican calls for Miller to step aside. Those demands stemmed from claims made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who alleged he physically abused her and their young daughter. Miller has denied the allegations.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Miller's father-in-law, publicly urged the incumbent to resign last weekend, calling him a danger. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) later joined those calls, pressuring Miller to end his campaign and leave office.
President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have continued to support Miller during the controversy, providing political cover as he resisted calls to withdraw.
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation last week into whether Miller engaged in domestic violence, abuse or illegal drug use. Miller requested the panel investigate the claims against him.
Miller is now set to face Democrat Brian Poindexter in the general election. The GOP is fighting to preserve its narrow House majority, making every district contest significant.
Miller's decision to remain on the ballot forces Ohio Republicans to carry the weight of the allegations through a critical election cycle.
