Republicans pour millions into Max Miller's campaign as Trump re-endorses him amid custody dispute
WASHINGTON, DC: Republicans are pouring millions into Ohio's 7th Congressional District to help Rep. Max Miller retain his seat. The race has become unexpectedly competitive, with Miller's divorce and ongoing custody dispute with his former wife, Emily Moreno, adding to the political pressure. He faces Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter as Republicans work to defend the seat ahead of the midterms.
The contest has attracted national attention as Miller's custody trial is scheduled to begin just after Election Day. Moreno has accused him of abusing her, alleging that he pushed her during a custody exchange and once threw hot water on her. Miller has firmly denied the allegations, telling voters that his divorce drama is over and behind him. However, the controversy continues to weigh on his re-election campaign.
Republicans spend millions to defend Max Miller's Ohio seat
Miller's district covers Cleveland's outer suburbs and stretches into rural communities. Republicans have long considered it a stronghold. President Donald Trump carried the district by 11 points in the previous election. However, rising gas and grocery prices, along with the allegations surrounding Miller, have made the race more challenging for the GOP.
Congressman Max Miller is a fantastic Champion for the Great People of Ohio's 7th Congressional District! Max bravely served our Country in the U.S. Marine Corps and, during my First Administration, worked hard to advance our AMERICA FIRST Agenda. In Congress, Max continues to fight tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Incredible Farmers, Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Max's opponent, Brian Poindexter, is a Radical Left Dumocrat who is opposed to NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, and NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY and, if he and the Dumocrats ever got in, all of these things will be terminated. He wants massive Tax Increases, Open Borders, Men playing in Women's Sports, and Transgender Mutilization of your Children. Brian Poindexter is Reckless, Radical, and Dangerous! Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MAX — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! President DONALD J. TRUMP https://t.co/XfnBtjaTbg ( TS: Oct 31 2026, 2:25 PM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 31, 2026
President Trump re-endorsed Miller in a Truth Social post on Saturday, October 31.
Earlier this year, national GOP leaders tried to persuade Miller to leave the race. However, he decided to stay, prompting Republicans to invest heavily in defending his seat.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, the GOP's main super PAC for House races, has spent more than $5 million in the district.
Altogether, Republicans have spent more than $9 million trying to hold on to the seat. Democrats, meanwhile, have invested $17 million in the contest as they seek to flip the district.
Miller has also used his personal finances to support his campaign after disappointing fundraising. Last quarter, he loaned his campaign $1 million when donations totaled only $145,000. According to Federal Election Commission records, he added another $250,000 loan earlier this week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the House Ethics Committee's investigation into Miller should continue, although he continues to support the congressman as the election approaches.
Meanwhile, Poindexter, a union ironworker and the Democratic challenger, told CNN he felt momentum building on his side.
"I am always going to be nervous until the votes are counted but there's a lot of good momentum on the ground," Poindexter said, adding that his campaign had thousands of volunteers and supporters.
I’m Brian Poindexter - I’m a union ironworker, and I’m running for Congress because working people's lives keep getting harder and harder while billionaires keep getting richer and richer. Washington isn't making it any easier. I'm ready to fight back. Are you? https://t.co/fQum8AWjIe
— Brian Poindexter for Congress (@bpforcongress) January 15, 2026
Max Miller and Brian Poindexter face scrutiny over personal records
The race has developed into a contest in which both candidates' personal records have come under scrutiny, with competing campaign advertisements highlighting controversies surrounding them.
One of Poindexter's early campaign ads featured his daughters ribbing their father. The advertisement appeared to distinguish him from Miller, who was facing questions at the time about his treatment of women.
However, Poindexter's past has also become a central issue in Republican campaign advertisements. The Congressional Leadership Fund released an ad last week titled "what's he smoking?" in which a narrator criticized Poindexter's record, saying, "worse than Poindexter's thirty-year rap sheet of drugs and assault, his extreme liberal agenda."
Miller has also addressed the controversy directly. In one of his campaign ads, he looked straight at voters and said his family's pain had been used as political ammunition for two years. He maintained that the allegations against him were untrue, said the record supported his position, and pointed out that he now had equal custody of his daughter.
However, the legal proceedings are not over. The House Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation, while the custody trial is scheduled to begin just after the election. Moreno wants changes to their shared parenting arrangement, while Miller continues to dispute the allegations.
