Poindexter Tops Miller by 3 Points in Ohio District 7

The Associated Press declared Democrat Brian Poindexter the winner of the race for Ohio’s seventh congressional district shortly before 1:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The result marks a shift in a district that President Donald Trump won by 11 points in 2024.

Poindexter, a 46-year-old iron worker and Brook Park City Council member, defeated Republican Rep. Max Miller. Miller has represented the seat since 2023. The campaign became a national focal point due to domestic abuse allegations against the incumbent, which Miller has consistently denied.

Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, accused him of violence, including throwing hot water on her and holding a gun to her head. She also alleged that their daughter suffered a fractured collarbone during an incident. A county prosecutor’s office determined there was insufficient admissible evidence to send the daughter’s case to a grand jury. Miller sued Moreno for defamation in response.

Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham also accused Miller of abuse during a relationship in Trump’s first term. She filed a temporary restraining order against him. No criminal charges have been filed against Miller regarding either accusation.

The controversy prompted two Ohio senators, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, to call for Miller to exit the race. Moreno is Miller’s former father-in-law. Miller compared his situation to allegations faced by Trump in 2016, arguing that resilience is a quality the American people value. He stated he would not sit and be debased by what he called false and baseless claims.

The House Ethics Committee announced in August that it was actively reviewing the allegations against Miller. Poindexter campaigned on a platform targeting working-class voters. His proposals included lowering the minimum age for Medicare, regulating data centers, and limiting funding for the war in Iran.

The district covers the northeastern corner of Ohio. It includes all of Medina, Wayne, and Ashland counties and stretches from Cleveland suburbs to Lake Erie.