Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) stated in court filings that his reelection campaign is losing financial and organizational support from labor unions. The congressman attributed the loss of support to domestic abuse allegations raised by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, during their ongoing legal disputes. Miller has denied the allegations, which include a claim reported by the Daily Mail that he attacked Moreno with scalding water.
The statements were included in a July 8 affidavit filed as part of Miller's defamation lawsuit against Moreno. Miller is currently seeking a third term in Ohio’s 7th District, where he faces Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter, a city council member and ironworker. The district, which was previously considered a safe Republican seat, is now viewed as competitive, with recent polling from Axios and The Hill showing Poindexter leading Miller.
In his filing, Miller estimated that withdrawn organizational support totals approximately $30,000, supplemented by an unspecified loss in individual donations. He projected that his campaign costs have increased to between $2.5 million and $3 million, up from an initial estimate of $1.4 million, due to the need to address the allegations. Miller stated that one international labor union notified him in writing that it would endorse his opponent, citing his personal circumstances.
A spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee characterized Miller as a candidate who has prioritized outsourcing over workers, while Miller describes himself as a "Davis-Bacon Republican" who supports federal minimum wage standards for construction. The Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council has endorsed Poindexter this cycle, whereas the Cleveland member council had endorsed Miller in 2024. A lawyer for Moreno challenged Miller’s claims in a July 20 filing, describing them as hearsay and suggesting that unions may be distancing themselves due to Miller's legislative record rather than the personal allegations.
The outcome of this race will determine representation for Ohio's 7th District in the upcoming Congress. Poindexter has already secured endorsements from the United Steelworkers, the American and Ohio Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Government Employees. The general election is scheduled for November 2026. Prior to the current cycle, the seat was won by the Republican presidential candidate by 11 percentage points.