Why Max Miller is staying in (for now)
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Rep. Max Miller on Capitol Hill on June 4. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
Denounced on social media and by fellow Republicans, Ohio Rep. Max Miller is telling allies he's not quitting for a simple reason: It would be tantamount to admitting he beat his ex-wife and their child, which he denies.
Why it matters: The Washington summer scandal is a case study in whether Miller — one of Donald Trump's understudies — can successfully employ the president's playbook of never backing down and never quitting.
- Trump has publicly expressed sympathy for Miller but privately expressed doubts about his viability.
- The calls to resign have mounted, especially in the Senate, where Miller's ex-father-in-law, Ohio's Bernie Moreno, serves.
Zoom in: Miller allies say his critics are underestimating his resolve and the intensely personal dynamics of the vicious battle with his ex, Emily Moreno, involving their 2-year-old daughter.
- "He's really worried about what his daughter is going to think when she gets older," said a congressional colleague.
- "If he quits, he's basically giving up," the person said. "And if he gives up, it basically means he did it."
- Also, quitting office or his race would mean surrendering his bully pulpit, which Miller believes he needs to argue his case.
Zoom out: Though some have called for his expulsion from the House, Miller has told his colleagues it would set a terrible precedent because there's no evidence showing he hurt his ex or their child.
- "Here we are in the middle of a divorce proceeding, and I don't think he's even been charged with anything they're making the accusations of," said an ally, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). "We're big on the Constitution, innocent till proven guilty, yet we're guilty until proven innocent, it seems right now with him."
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called the allegations against Miller "serious" in an interview with Politico on Tuesday but said lawmakers have to allow the Ethics Committee process to play out. "We don't take disciplinary action against members for allegations," Johnson said.
- Miller has released documents that he says show he was investigated for abuse but that the allegations were unfounded.
Yes, but: There's only so long a candidate can hang on if he's constantly denounced, attacked and looks increasingly un-electable.
- Republicans privately expect that Miller will drop his reelection bid by the end of this week, according to two sources.
The intrigue: He, his ex and his father-in-law are now embroiled in a dispute over whether the representative held his daughter's blue bunny stuffed animal toy "hostage."
- Moreno's fellow Republican Ohio senator, Jon Husted, called Thursday for Miller to quit.
- Another Ohioan, Vice President JD Vance, has an unfriendly relationship with Miller but has pointedly kept quiet.
What's next: According to the Ohio secretary of state office's election calendar, Aug. 10 is the last day that a political party nominating committee can name a replacement for a candidate if he withdraws.
