Who's running in Ohio's 7th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Max Miller currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Foreign policy and national security, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
Manufacturing and agriculture in north-central Ohio.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 7th District since January 2023; re-elected in 2024 with 51.1%.
Former aide in the first Trump White House; Marine Corps reservist.
Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump on May 5, 2026.
Has not been criminally charged in connection with his former wife's allegations; he has sued her for defamation, and she has sought restraining orders against him.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, and the state Republican party backed the Trump-endorsed slate.
— President Donald Trump; Ohio Republican Party
The House Republican campaign committee has stood by him, coordinating a joint three-week television buy with his campaign worth more than $150,000 from early September, after the allegations surfaced.
— National Republican Congressional Committee
Arguments against
His former wife Emily Moreno alleges in court filings that he held a gun to her head, threw her against a wall and threw hot water on her in front of their daughter, and she has sought restraining orders. Miller categorically denies abusing her, says she is manipulative and suffers from mental illness, and has sued her for defamation; he has not been charged.
— Emily Moreno's court filings, released by her lawyer and reported by CBS News, the Washington Post and CNN
Her father, Ohio's Republican senator, says Miller should not serve in the House, and a growing number of Republicans have called on him to resign.
— Sen. Bernie Moreno, Republican of Ohio, and other Republicans reported by NBC News
What we couldn’t verify
The allegations are contested and untested: no criminal charges have been brought, Miller denies them, and the civil litigation between the two was ongoing when this was written. They are recorded here as allegations made in court filings, not as established fact.
Miller says he holds a 2024 sworn statement from his former wife saying he did not harm their child; that document was not examined here.
Court filings reported in September 2026 say his campaign is losing union support and money; the extent was not established.
Workers' rights and union organising, drawing on his own trade.
Protecting health coverage from federal cuts.
Ethics in office.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Union ironworker and local city councilman.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary.
Added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue list.
Endorsed by the Working Families Party and the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Led Miller by fourteen points in a September 2026 poll reported by The Hill.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Poindexter by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'attack ad', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Max Miller's campaign, and against Spectrum News, Cleveland 19, Axios and Ohio Capital Journal coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either, even though his own endorsements are substantial.
His endorsements include the Working Families Party, the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council and the DCCC's Red to Blue programme.
His positions on federal legislation beyond affordability and labour were not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Ohio held its primary on May 5, 2026, under the new congressional map adopted in October 2025. Republican incumbent Max Miller faces Democrat Brian Poindexter, an ironworker and city councilman. The district stretches from the Cleveland exurbs into rural north-central Ohio, including Medina, Ashland and Wooster, and President Trump carried it by about eleven points in 2024. Domestic abuse allegations against Miller by his former wife have reshaped the race: the Cook Political Report moved it from Likely Republican to Toss-up, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Poindexter to its Red to Blue list, and a September 2026 poll put Poindexter ahead by fourteen points. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and NBC News, CNN and Axios reporting. Criticism of Poindexter by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Ohio ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.