Rep. Max Miller's campaign cash is turning into a headache for more than a dozen fellow Republicans this midterm season, as Democrats seize on the Ohio congressman's unreturned donations as a political weapon.
The embattled lawmaker's Dependable Conservative Leadership PAC has sent more than $70,000 to 16 GOP incumbents in tight races this cycle, according to Federal Election Commission filings, and those donations have become radioactive since Miller's ex-wife Emily Moreno has accused him of assaulting her and their young child, reported Politico.
"Miller’s baggage may not be confined to his race alone," the publication reported. "Some Democrats are already using the unreturned campaign donations as fodder to hammer Republicans running in other contests around the country."
Of the 16 recipients contacted by Politico this week, only Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN) confirmed he'd returned his $5,000. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)'s campaign said it has no plans to give the money back. The other 14 — including Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who has publicly called on Miller to drop out, along with Reps. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Nick Begich III (R-AK), Tom Barrett (R-MI), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), David Valadao (R-CA) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) — stayed silent or declined to say what they'll do with the cash.
In the race targeting Mackenzie, a spokesman for Democratic opponent Bob Brooks said the silence shows Mackenzie is "open for business for whoever's willing to pay up, no questions asked."
The National Republican Congressional Committee fired back, calling Democrats "shameless hypocrites" for criticizing Miller's donations while some Democrats haven't returned money tied to former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who resigned in April amid sexual assault allegations he denies.
A DCCC spokesperson countered that it's Republicans who "take dirty money from disgraced, disgusting, and abhorrent men" while "virtue signaling."
Miller now trails Democrat Brian Poindexter in a district Trump carried by double digits — a seat the DCCC has flagged as newly winnable – but some House Republicans have rallied around the accused domestic abuser.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) filed a joint fundraising committee with Miller last week, telling Politico that she would not get in the middle of a private matter between the congressman and his ex-wife, but she added the committee was "not active."