Ohio 7th District Flips To Democrat
Brian Poindexter defeated incumbent Max Miller in a district that shifted from solidly Republican to a toss-up this election cycle.
By Renata Mehta ·
Poindexter held 53% of the reported vote at midnight, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office with 89% of precincts in. That lead allowed the Democrat to claim victory in a district that has historically leaned conservative. The Associated Press had not yet issued an official call as of 12:15 a.m.
The race for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District drew national attention after Emily Moreno, the ex-wife of incumbent Max Miller, made public allegations of domestic violence over the summer. Moreno accused Miller of throwing hot water on her, holding a gun to her head, and breaking their two-year-old daughter’s collarbone. Miller denied the claims and filed a defamation lawsuit against Moreno in May. An investigation by the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services found a lack of evidence to support child abuse.
Political pressure on Miller increased in early August when Bernie Moreno, Emily Moreno’s father and an Ohio state senator, declared the incumbent unfit for office at an impromptu press conference. Fellow state senator Jon Husted also called for Miller to drop out of the race that same month. Prior to the general election, the Cook Political Report labeled the contest a Toss Up, a stark change from the Solid Republican designation it assigned after the May primaries.
Poindexter addressed supporters late Tuesday night, crediting working people for uniting across party lines. He stated that the group beat big-moneyed interests, corporate PACs, and negative advertising. The new district map, which takes effect in 2027, includes parts of Ashland, Cuyahoga, Medina, and Wayne counties.
Voting patterns varied by county in the midnight tally. Miller secured 66% of the vote in Ashland County, 57% in Wayne County, and 52% in Medina County. Poindexter won 65% of the votes in Cuyahoga County, the most populated area in the district. Miller conceded his defeat via a social media message, stating he was disheartened to end his four-year tenure.
Poindexter emphasized that the campaign united Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. He noted that the effort was built by and for workers, citing a shared frustration with previous leadership. The district flip could help Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives.
Source: WVIZ
