Republican groups are pouring millions into rescuing Ohio Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) as he lashes out at GOP senators who wanted him gone.
Miller looked like a long shot over the summer after his ex-wife leveled domestic violence allegations against him. Ohio's two Republican senators said he should exit the race, and President Donald Trump warned him his odds weren't good, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.
Now the GOP is going all in. The Journal reported Tuesday that the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership, committed roughly $5 million to ads in the district last month, while the National Republican Congressional Committee has also bought airtime. Democrats have countered with a blitz of nearly $6 million.
Miller is using the cash infusion as proof he can win, and he isn't making peace with the Republicans who tried to push him out.
After a campaign stop in Ashland, he went after Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who had said Miller should leave Congress over the domestic abuse allegations. Miller called Husted "as entertaining as a two-by-four" and "as smart as a box of rocks," then added, "My chances of winning are much better than his." Husted, who is locked in a close race against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, did not respond to The Journal.
Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, is the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Bernie Moreno said in August that Miller "is a danger to my daughter." Miller has denied all the allegations against him, and the House Ethics Committee is investigating.
At a festival in Medina County, Miller embraced a supporter who told him, "Don't worry, we think Bernie Moreno sucks, too."
Miller also claimed Trump has come around. Trump privately told advisers Miller should step aside, per a person familiar with his remarks cited by The Journal, but Miller said a September call went differently.
"It's much different now. He was very happy with me," Miller said. "He says I'm going to win."
According to The Journal, forecasters rate Miller's race as a tossup between Miller and Democrat Brian Poindexter, an ironworker and former city councilman.