'Tough races': GOP terrified Max Miller violent abuse claims could lose them the House
The GOP is quietly hoping voters will soon forget allegations that Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) poured hot water on his wife, held her at gunpoint and broke their daughter's collarbone — and it'll keep its hold on the House of Representatives, according to a new report.
Miller's Republican colleagues fear their House majority is at stake after his ex-wife Emily Moreno — daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno — went public with charges of abuse (which the lawmaker denies), Politico reported Saturday.
“What happens when Democrats run ad after ad targeting GOP voters about Miller abusing the daughter of a pro-Trump MAGA senator?” a GOP operative reportedly said.
“What does that do to GOP turnout? How does that affect our candidates at the top of the ticket who are already in tough races?”"
Politico reported the surge in attention presented a serious conundrum: "Speak out against their colleague who is running in a competitive race or face accusations of hypocrisy after hammering multiple similarly scandal-plagued Democrats."
So far, Politico reported, the go-to tactic has been silence — even from those with close family ties.
Even as news broke last week that Emily Moreno’s lawyer filed for a restraining order against Miller, her own father remained surprisingly quiet, the report noted.
Moreno (R-OH) — who could be seen last week hurling expletives at Dr. Anthony Fauci — did not address his daughter's situation directly to Politico — spokesperson Reagan McCarthy sent a statement.
“Senator Moreno’s top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter," McCarthy said. "While he does not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks, he will do whatever it takes to ensure a just outcome for his family."
Moreno is not alone in keeping quiet, Politico reported.
"His Republican colleagues have been slow to respond," the report states. "And so far, those fellow Republicans have been largely silent. A host of prominent GOP leaders nationally and in Ohio either declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries from POLITICO."
Republicans approach what Politico described as a "make-or-break moment" on Aug. 5, the last day Miller can be replaced — and some are raising alarms that the House majority could be at stake.
Nonpartisan handicappers have already upped Democrats’ chances to take Miller's seat as his Democratic opponent Brian Poindexter is calling him out loudly, and repeatedly.
“These are serious allegations and deserve the full attention of law enforcement,” Poindexter said in a statement. “If all the allegations against Congressman Miller prove to be true, Max Miller should be in jail, not worried about retaining a seat in Congress.”
Miller’s campaign spokesperson said in a statement that the lawmaker's continued custody of his child should serve as proof his ex-wife's allegations were false.
“Congressman Miller will continue to vigorously defend his reputation against false and reckless allegations designed to inflame public opinion rather than reflect reality," spokesperson Abigail Angelos said.
Emily Moreno's spokesperson Stefan Mychajliw said, “There is a demonstrable pattern of repeated violent and dangerous behavior.”