Poindexter Defeats Miller in Ohio District

Democrat Brian Poindexter defeated Republican Rep. Max Miller in the race for Ohio’s seventh congressional district. The Associated Press called the outcome for Poindexter shortly before 1:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, marking a shift in a district that President Donald Trump won by 11 points in 2024.

Poindexter, 46, is an iron worker and a member of the Brook Park City Council. He campaigned on a platform designed for working-class voters in the suburbs near Cleveland’s airport. His proposals included lowering the minimum age for Medicare eligibility, regulating data centers, and limiting funding for the war in Iran. In August, Poindexter stated he was not running to represent the Democratic Party but to flip the seat for working families.

The race gained national attention due to domestic abuse allegations against Miller. Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, accused him of domestic violence, including throwing hot water on her and holding a gun to her head. She also alleged that Miller caused their daughter’s fractured collarbone. Miller denied all claims and sued Moreno for defamation. A county prosecutor’s office later determined there was insufficient admissible evidence to bring a grand jury case regarding the daughter’s injury.

Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham also accused Miller of domestic abuse and misconduct during a relationship in Trump’s first term. She previously filed a temporary restraining order against him. Miller denied these allegations as well. No criminal charges have been filed against Miller. The House Ethics Committee announced in August that it was actively reviewing the allegations.

Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who is Miller’s former father-in-law, advised Miller to seek public help over the summer. He joined Republican Sen. Jon Husted in calling for Miller to exit the race. When asked in a CNN interview whether his accusers were lying, Miller compared his situation to the allegations faced by Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Miller noted that Trump stayed in the race and remained resilient, a quality he believed Americans cherish. He said he would not sit and continue to be debased by false and baseless allegations.

Miller, a former Marine, has served in the House since 2023. He previously worked as a White House aide during Trump’s first term. The seventh district is located in northeastern Ohio, stretching from the Cleveland suburbs to Lake Erie. It encompasses all of Medina, Wayne, and Ashland counties.