| This week, all three major nonpartisan race raters — Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball — shifted Ohio’s 7th District in Democrats’ direction to “Toss-Up” in less than 24 hours.Â
With three independent forecasters quickly reaching the same conclusion after alleged domestic abuser Max Miller opted to remain on the ballot in November, the message is clear:Â Things are NOT looking good for Max Miller.Â
In part, Cook writes:
- The serious nature of the allegations — he’s been accused of throwing hot water at his wife, holding a gun to her head and fracturing his two-year-old daughter’s collarbone — make it much more difficult for Miller to hold his northeast Ohio seat.
- In the wake of allegations about their behavior toward women, other candidates in competitive races […] have ended their campaigns. But Miller’s insistence on running for reelection could cost House Republicans a seat.
- Even before the allegations against Miller caught the attention of national media last weekend, polling from Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter showed the race effectively tied. Co/efficient, a Republican pollster, then released a poll on Aug. 6 showing that the congressman is now down by 14 points — and just 30% of Republicans polled had a favorable opinion of him.
- [Poindexter] won a competitive primary earlier this year that included a former nominee for governor and is one of the few candidates backed by both Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Blue Dogs this cycle.
Inside Elections also notes that “the political environment in Ohio is at a high ebb for Democrats” and Miller “could quickly become a clear underdog,” increasing the likelihood that “Democrats even gain a seat” in Ohio this cycle.
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi:
“The more Northeast Ohio voters learn about Max Miller’s record of alleged abuse and cost-spiking votes, the worse things get for him. The momentum in this race is fully behind Brian Poindexter, who will flip this seat and help take back the House Majority in November.” |
