Max Miller stays in Ohio House race as GOP ballot deadline passes

Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio will remain in his reelection race, after a key deadline passed for the GOP to replace him as its nominee, despite mounting calls from fellow Republicans for him to drop his reelection bid.

Under Ohio law, Republicans have until Monday at 4 p.m. to name a replacement nominee. But the local Republican officials responsible for choosing one must receive at least two days’ notice before meeting, meaning Miller would have needed to withdraw by Saturday for the party to complete the process in time. He did not.

Miller has now effectively missed the deadline, but could still withdraw and have his name removed from the ballot. Republicans would then be left without a nominee in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.

Miller’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The deadline passed after a week of escalating Republican pressure on Miller to step aside over claims from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, that he physically abused her and their young daughter. Miller has denied the allegations.

Miller’s father-in-law, Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, called the incumbent “a danger” last weekend and urged him to resign. Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio later joined calls for Miller to leave office and end his campaign.

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have stood by Miller.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation last week into whether Miller may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use after Miller asked the panel to investigate him.

Miller is now positioned to face Democrat Brian Poindexter in November in a district that had been considered reliably Republican, as the GOP fights to preserve its narrow House majority.