Trump Backs Max Miller Before Aug. 5 Deadline as GOP Allies Urge Ohio Lawmaker to Quit
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 3
Trump Backs Max Miller Before Aug. 5 Deadline as GOP Allies Urge Ohio Lawmaker to Quit
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 3
Summary
Trump said Monday that Max Miller is “a very good person” and would let “the families figure that out,” publicly defending the Ohio Republican even as pressure builds for him to abandon his House race.
Four sources told CNN that Trump allies and some House Republicans want the president to push Miller out before Tuesday’s ballot deadline, while Trump has privately told some allies he doubts Miller can win and should drop out.
Miller again refused, saying Monday he would not leave the race and repeating his denial of domestic abuse allegations made by ex-wife Emily Moreno, including claims described in police videos; no charges were filed.
The timing is critical: withdrawing by close of business Tuesday would trigger a special primary, while Republicans would otherwise have until Aug. 10—with two days’ notice required—to replace him on the ballot.
The fight now threatens a seat once seen as safely Republican in eastern Ohio and could complicate the party’s effort to hold the House in the Nov. 3 midterms.