House Republicans’ national campaign arm is joining with embattled GOP Rep. Max Miller to buy TV airtime as allegations of domestic abuse against him put the previously safe north Ohio seat into play.
The NRCC is planning a joint three-week ad buy with Miller’s campaign starting Sept. 7 and totaling more than $150,000. Miller, who represents parts of the Cleveland suburbs, is not among the NRCC’s “Patriots” — the most vulnerable members who typically get the bulk of its spending.
“Democrat Brian Poindexter backs a radical far-left agenda that’s completely out of touch with northeast Ohio,” NRCC spokesperson Zach Bannon said in a statement. “Ohioans have a clear choice: Max Miller will vote to stop socialist policies, and Bernie-bro Brian Poindexter will make them a reality.”
Miller said in a statement that he is grateful to Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the NRCC chair, for his “faith in my ability to win this race and the support the NRCC is supplying.”
“Republicans know that this race is bigger than me, it’s about ensuring we maintain this majority,” he said.
Miller is facing allegations of abuse from his ex-wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno. Both of Ohio’s GOP senators have called on Miller to resign over the allegations, which Miller denies.
A DCCC spokesperson, Riya Vashi, called the joint ad buy “a new low” for national Republicans.
“National Republicans are proudly bankrolling an alleged abuser with a lengthy history of damning accusations from multiple women,” she said. “Every House Republican who gives a dime to the NRCC owns this shameful choice.”
The ad buy comes after Miller’s Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter released his first ad of the general election earlier this week, largely focused on his own family, which is running as part of a six-figure buy on digital, cable and broadcast television.
Amid calls to drop his reelection bid last month, Miller remained defiant and refused to exit the race ahead of the deadline to pick another GOP candidate, and Republicans including members of President Donald Trump’s political circle have rallied around him since it became clear he would remain on the ballot.
Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this week said that he supports Miller’s reelection, though he later said he is not planning to campaign with Miller before the election.
Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
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