Embattled House Republican Trashes His State’s GOP Senator: ‘Smart as a Box of Rocks’

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Embattled Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) took a vicious swipe at fellow Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, mocking his intelligence and bragging that he has a better chance of surviving the midterms.

According to a Tuesday Wall Street Journal report, Miller tore into Husted while campaigning in Ohio after the senator previously called on him to leave Congress amid domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife.

Miller described Husted as “as entertaining as a two-by-four” and “as smart as a box of rocks.”

“My chances of winning are much better than his,” Miller added.

Husted is locked in a competitive Senate race against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Miller, meanwhile, is fighting to hold onto a House district President Donald Trump carried by 11 points in 2024. His Democratic opponent, ironworker and former Brook Park city councilman Brian Poindexter, has sought to capitalize on the allegations as both parties pour millions into the contest.

Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno — the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) — has accused the congressman in legal filings of physical abuse, including holding a gun to her head and throwing boiling water at her. She has also alleged that their daughter suffered a broken collarbone while in Miller’s care.

Miller has denied the allegations, which are being investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Sen. Moreno called his former son-in-law “a danger to my daughter” in August and said he should not remain in Congress.

Despite earlier doubts about Miller’s electoral prospects, Republicans have since poured money into defending his seat, with the GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund pledging roughly $5 million to advertising in the race last month.

Miller also told the Journal that Trump, who previously warned him that his reelection prospects were poor, has changed his tune.

“It’s much different now. He was very happy with me… He says I’m going to win,” Miller said of a September call with Trump and White House officials.

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