Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is signaling continued support for Republican Rep. Max Miller, even as the congressman remains under scrutiny over domestic-abuse allegations.
Leaked audio obtained by HuffPost appears to capture Ramaswamy speaking about Miller with an attendee at an August 22 campaign event in Columbus.
During the exchange, the attendee praised Ramaswamy for “supporting Max Miller.”
“I’m supporting everyone up and down the ticket,” Ramaswamy responded.
The attendee followed up by asking whether Ramaswamy planned to “go out and campaign with” Miller.
Rather than answer directly, Ramaswamy shifted the conversation, asking the voter where he lives and where he grew up.
He later framed Miller’s race as one piece of a larger Republican effort to maintain control in Congress and across Ohio politics.
“Look, my view is this is the most important election for preserving Republican control of the House, the Senate, and also protecting the Republican control of the state,” Ramaswamy said.
In leaked audio, Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is heard telling a rallygoer that he is ‘supporting everyone up and down the ticket’ when asked about backing embattled Representative Max Miller
Miller has faced allegations from his former wife, Emily Moreno, who has accused him of domestic and child abuse, including claims that he threw boiling water at her, held a gun to her head and threw her against a wall. Miller has denied the allegations
The deadline for Miller to withdraw and allow Republicans to replace him on the November ballot passed on August 10
‘If we compromise that, we’re done,’ Ramaswamy adds.
The comments come after weeks of silence from Ramaswamy over Miller, despite mounting controversy surrounding the congressman.
Ramaswamy is in a highly competitive race for the open seat governorship in Ohio, where Democrat Amy Acton has surprised observers at her ability to be competitive in the red state.
Miller has faced allegations from his former wife, Emily Moreno, daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno, including claims of domestic and child abuse.
Moreno has made a series of serious allegations against Miller.
She has alleged that he physically abused her during their marriage, including claims that he threw boiling water at her, held a gun to her head and threw her against a wall.
Miller has denied the allegations.
Moreno has also raised concerns about the safety of their young daughter, alleging that the child suffered bruising while in Miller’s care and that Miller may have been responsible for a fractured collarbone that required a trip to the emergency room.
Miller has also disputed these accusations of abuse.
The congressman is also facing scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee, which has opened a review into allegations that Miller may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use.
Yet Ramaswamy’s campaign continues to list Miller as an endorser on its official endorsements page.
It’s all given fuel to Acton, who has hammered Ramaswamy for the association.
‘Vivek Ramaswamy stands side-by-side with creeps and abusers, from known Epstein associates to Max Miller,’ Addie Bullock, an Acton campaign spokeswoman, told HuffPost.
The political controversy surrounding Miller has played out alongside an increasingly bitter custody and divorce battle with Moreno.
The former couple returned to Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court in Cleveland on Wednesday, this time over a dispute involving their attorneys.
Moreno’s attorney, Andrew Zashin, sought a restraining order after alleging that Miller grabbed him following a July court proceeding. The dispute also involved disagreements over where and how future depositions should take place.
Rather than have the judge rule on the restraining-order request, the two sides reached an agreement.
Miller threatened Senator Moreno and said he had information about his former father-in-law that Moreno would prefer to remain private.
Senator Moreno and Senator John Husted, who is also in a tight re-election race, have rescinded their endorsements of Miller.
Other Republicans have also publicly called for Miller to step aside, including Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, who joined Republican colleagues in calling for his resignation, along with Senators Roger Marshall of Kansas and Tim Scott of South Carolina.
The deadline for Miller to withdraw and allow Republicans to replace him on the November ballot passed on August 10.
That leaves the Republican Party facing a difficult political situation as the allegations and court battle continue to play out.
Miller’s Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, is capitalizing on the controversy, casting himself as a contrast with Miller while focusing on working-family issues.
As of August 27, Decision Desk HQ gives Miller a narrow 52 percent chance compared with 48 percent for Poindexter, underscoring just how competitive the race has become.
The governor’s race is incredibly close, with a 270toWin poll showing Acton at 47.5 percent and Ramaswamy narrowly ahead at 48 percent.
Ramaswamy did not respond to Our News Outlet’s request for comment.
