WASHINGTON — Embattled Rep. Max Miller blew previous the 4 p.m. deadline Wednesday to step apart and permit for a particular election to interchange him in Ohio’s seventh Congressional District.
Miller (R-Ohio) can nonetheless withdraw from the race earlier than Aug. 10, which might allow native Republicans to pick out a substitute for him as he grapples with a firestorm over abuse accusations that he has denied.
“I’m by no means going to surrender,” Miller insisted to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday. “And what I imply by that’s my daughter goes to develop up at some point, and she or he’s going to see all of this. And he or she’s not going to see that her father caved to political and social media pressures for one thing that he by no means did.”
Ought to Miller miss the Aug. 10 deadline, Republicans gained’t have the ability to change him.
Had Miller dropped out Wednesday, it could have prevented the state of affairs that performed out in Maine final month, the place native Democratic leaders, somewhat than voters, scrambled to pick out a substitute for former Senate candidate Graham Platner.
The scandal-scarred congressman acknowledged that he has been “struggling” over whether or not or to not drop out of the race.
Miller’s resolution to stay on the poll after successful the Could 5 major has precipitated complications for Republicans.
President Trump gained his district by 11 factors in 2024, however latest polls present Miller operating neck and neck with Bernie Sanders-endorsed Brian Poindexter this yr.
Moreover, it has put Republicans operating in aggressive races within the Buckeye State, together with for US Senate, on the spot and compelled to reply questions from the media and Democrats concerning the accusations in opposition to Miller.
Trump had spoken with Miller by telephone this week and was rumored to have inspired him to step apart, one thing the congressman denied. Miller has cited Trump’s overcoming of scandal as a part of his inspiration to remain within the race.
“I hope he’s in a position to work it out. I really feel badly for him,” Trump advised reporters Tuesday.
Miller has been accused of abusing his ex-wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), together with by shoving her throughout a custody change earlier this yr, holding a gun to her head, and dumping sizzling water on her.
The congressman has additionally confronted questions on his 2-year-old daughter’s damaged collarbone and “what seemed to be a handprint bruise” on her shoulder, in keeping with a police report.
These accusations have been made in police experiences and court docket paperwork. Emily has not addressed the matter publicly. Miller underscored that they’ve been investigated and he nonetheless has joint custody of the two-year-old for now.
Sen. Moreno broke his silence on Miller Sunday, calling him unfit to serve in Congress and urging him to get psychological assist after making an attempt to keep away from drawing press consideration to the non-public matter.
Emily isn’t the one individual to make abuse accusations in opposition to Miller. Former White Home press secretary Stephanie Grisham did as properly in her e book, and court docket paperwork present there are rumors about him shoving a lady down the steps when he was in highschool.
On Tuesday, Miller introduced that he was requesting that the Home Ethics Committee open an investigation into him.
The committee is infamous for taking a very long time to finish its investigations, and the panel would possibly’ve been poised to look into him regardless.
