Moreno on whether Max Miller should stay on ballot after abuse claims: ‘I don’t know’

Campaign Moreno on whether Max Miller should stay on ballot after abuse claims: ‘I don’t know’ Comments: by Steff Danielle Thomas - 08/01/26 1:28 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Steff Danielle Thomas - 08/01/26 1:28 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) sidestepped a question Friday about whether Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) should remain on the ballot after the lawmaker was accused of abusing his ex-wife Emily Moreno, the senator’s daughter.

Asked by NOTUS’s Adora Brown whether Miller should continue his reelection campaign, Moreno offered a brief reply before declining to elaborate.

“I don’t know,” he said, according to the outlet.

A spokesperson for the senator later told NOTUS that Moreno would not comment further because the matter involves “active litigation” within his family.

Miller is facing growing political pressure after Emily Moreno alleged in court filings that her ex-husband threw hot water on her, held a gun to her head, shoved her into a wall and fractured their young daughter’s collarbone. The Ohio Republican has denied the claims and filed defamation lawsuits against her.

The allegations have fueled calls for Miller to resign and intensified scrutiny of his reelection campaign in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.

Democrats have pressed the House Ethics Committee to investigate the abuse claims, while gun violence prevention group Giffords has also urged Miller to step down. The organization, founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), argued lawmakers accused of domestic violence should not continue serving in Congress.

Miller has maintained that the allegations are false and stem from a contentious custody battle. No criminal charges have been filed, and the custody case remains ongoing.

The controversy has also renewed attention on earlier claims made by former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who alleged in 2021 that Miller was physically abusive during their relationship while both serving in the first Trump administration, according to The Associated Press. He later hit Grisham with a lawsuit for defamation but ultimately dropped the case.

The former White House aide has since sued the lawmaker, alleging he violated the terms of a confidential settlement, according to the AP.

It also comes as both parties are grappling with pressure for lawmakers facing misconduct allegations to resign or abandon reelection bids ahead of the midterms, leading to calls for reform on Capitol Hill.