Poindexter topples Miller in Ohio amid scandal

Democrats scored an upset victory in Ohio as Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Max Miller in the 7th District encompassing the southern suburbs of Cleveland, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) projects .

Poindexter led Miller by nearly 8 percentage points with 67 percent of the vote reported as of 11:16 p.m. Tuesday, according to DDHQ.

The race was not initially expected to be close. The district has been traditionally conservative, and President Trump won there by 11 percentage points in 2024.

But Miller was embroiled in a very public family feud that erupted late in the campaign, featuring explosive allegations by his ex-wife that Miller had violently abused her and their young daughter. Miller’s former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), said Miller lacks the character to serve in Congress and instead should “seek professional help.”

“He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter,” Moreno said in August.

Miller has denied the allegations, accusing his ex-wife of being mentally ill and inventing the abuse allegations merely to win custody of their daughter.

The family turmoil engulfed Miller’s campaign heading into Election Day and heightened the Democrats’ hopes that they could pick up a red seat.

Like other Democrats around the country, Poindexter also appeared to benefit from the economic volatility and high cost of living that’s accompanied Trump’s second term.

Miller is a former Trump aide, and Poindexter highlighted the connection, hammering home his case that the country’s inflationary trends are the direct result of global tariffs, the Iran war and other specific Trump policies.

The House Republican sought to defuse that message by pointing to the Republicans’ legislative successes under Trump, most notably the sweeping tax cuts signed by the president last year, which included the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime.

It wasn’t enough to save him, however, from restive voters in the 7th District, who sent a clear message Tuesday.