Republican senators are rallying behind Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) after he publicly accused his former son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), of abusive behavior, adding to pressure on the Ohio representative as he faces a looming deadline to remain on the November ballot.Moreno made on-camera remarks Tuesday about the contentious divorce and child custody battle between his daughter and Miller, saying his family “fears what this guy is capable of.” Miller has denied all allegations of abuse and wrongdoing, including claims that he poured hot water on his ex-wife, held a gun to her head, and broke his daughter’s collarbone.Several Republican senators said Moreno’s public comments carried significant weight.
“I don’t know [Miller]. I haven’t read a whole lot about him, but if [Moreno] thinks he ought to resign, I’m supportive of that,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) told Politico.Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) went further, saying Miller “should resign” and withdraw from the race, and that he trusts Moreno’s account.“I don’t know Mr. Miller’s story, but I trust Bernie so much as a good friend, and his family has such high values,” Marshall said. “I couldn’t imagine them wanting this out in public. So, to go through with this, it makes me think that they’re telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) stopped short of calling for Miller’s resignation but said the allegations demand serious scrutiny.“The accusations are very serious, and if there is truth to them, I am one who says that our elected officials need to be held to high standards,” Murkowski said. “And certainly, when it comes to allegations of domestic abuse, child abuse, that’s not what we want in our lawmakers.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) likewise declined to share his opinion on the matter.“It’s a family matter, and I don’t have any observations beyond that,” Thune told reporters on Tuesday.Miller has until Wednesday to withdraw from the ballot, after which Ohio Republicans would be forced to hold a crash primary to select a replacement nominee if he steps aside.Not all Republicans have weighed in. Notably, Ohio’s other senator, Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), has remained silent, declining to answer reporters’ recent questions about whether Miller should resign.BERNIE MORENO YET TO SPEAK TO TRUMP AS DEADLINE TO PUSH MAX MILLER OUT OF REELECTION RACE LOOMSMost Republicans in Ohio’s House delegation have also avoided commenting, with nearly every member either declining to comment or not responding to requests. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) was the lone exception, telling CNN that Miller is “a good man” and noting he had recently campaigned alongside him.The growing chorus of Senate Republicans siding with Moreno comes as pressure mounts on Miller ahead of the ballot deadline, while President Donald Trump has so far declined to call for the congressman to end his reelection campaign, despite acknowledging his former staffer faces a “tough” reelection bid.
