By Annie Grayer, Ellis Kim, Lauren Fox, CNN
(CNN) – Under pressure from Senate Republicans, embattled GOP Rep. Max Miller is facing increasing demands to step down or withdraw his reelection campaign – yet he remains committed to his bid as he denies the abuse claims made by his ex-wife.
Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican from Ohio, stated on Thursday – after avoiding questions about it for several days – that Miller should end his campaign and resign from Congress.
“I believe Max would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter. Years from now, I believe he will look back and know it was the right choice for her,” Husted posted on X.
When asked later why it took him so long to call for Miller’s resignation, Husted replied: “That speaks for itself.”
Miller has denied any misconduct and insists on continuing with his reelection efforts.
“I’m going to continue to push. I am going to win this race,” Miller told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” earlier this week.
Even though Miller publicly asserts that he won’t drop out of the race, there’s a significant effort underway among party officials who fear he could jeopardize the GOP’s chances in the district, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Ohio’s 7th Congressional District leans heavily Republican with Trump winning there by 11 points in 2024.
So far, these calls have not led to any changes, but numerous statements urging him to exit are anticipated to keep coming, the source informed CNN.
Over the weekend, Ohio GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno – who is also Miller’s former father-in-law – stated that Miller “should not serve” in Congress and called him “a danger to my daughter.”
“He should not serve in the House of Representatives,” Moreno said on X.
Sen. Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, supported Moreno’s stance by telling CNN “we should stand with Bernie” when asked if senators need to urge Miller to step down.
“My heart is broken for his granddaughter and his daughter. Their safety is what’s most important and we should stand with Bernie,” she shared with CNN.
Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Sen. Moreno claimed that Miller had withheld a blue bunny from his daughter – Moreno’s granddaughter – stating that at one point “Max would not hand over the little blue bunny, literally held it hostage for 48 hours.”
“This girl is crying at night because she can’t sleep without her little blue bunny,” he added.
In an interview with Tapper on Tuesday, Miller refuted this claim by saying, “This is nothing more than an individual who’s being politically vindictive.”
On Wednesday, Miller posted on X a message directed at Sen. Moreno asking him to “stop the lies.”
Montana GOP Sen. Tim Sheehy remarked on X Thursday in response to a reporter’s post about the blue bunny situation saying, “Max should step aside and seek help. Staying in this race makes it far more likely we lose this seat and hand Democrats a majority to impeach President Trump.”
Another Republican senator – Mike Rounds of South Dakota – mentioned that he would refrain from getting involved in this matter.
When asked by CNN if Miller should resign or stop running given how vocal Moreno has been about these issues, Rounds replied: “I think if Senator Moreno has made it very clear that it’s a very sensitive family member; I’ll let him do it. I’m not following it; I don’t have any more information than anyone else does. I will stay out of it.”
Rounds emphasized further: “It’s one thing to be accused. I’ll let those individuals who are investigating take charge.”
The-CNN-Wire
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