Democrat Brian Poindexter has defeated incumbent Republican Max Miller in the race for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, according to final, unofficial vote totals reported by the Ohio Secretary of State. Poindexter received 180,614 votes, 54.93 percent, while Miller received 148,177, 45.07 percent.
The district includes Ashland and Medina counties and portions of Wayne and Cuyahoga counties. In Ashland County, Miller received 12,690 votes, 66.34 percent, to Poindexter’s 6,318, 33.03 percent, according to final, unofficial totals from the Ashland County Board of Elections.
Poindexter, 46, is a union ironworker and apprenticeship instructor and has served as an at-large member of Brook Park City Council since 2017. He graduated from John Marshall High School and earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College. In May, he won a Democratic primary with eight candidates, taking 37.02 percent.
Miller was first elected in November 2022 and reelected in November 2024. He conceded on X before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, saying he was disappointed and grateful to voters. Ashland Source reported that abuse allegations from Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, generated state and national headlines during the campaign; the source did not report a legal outcome or substantiation for the allegations.
In his victory speech, Poindexter said his campaign brought together working people, Democrats, Republicans and independents. He has said he wants to lower costs and ensure workers can earn wages that cover their needs, and he has pointed to areas of possible common ground in Congress.