Sen. Jim Banks urges Rep. Max Miller to drop out

Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said Sunday that Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, should drop his reelection bid if allegations that he mistreated staffers are true.

Banks, who chairs the House Republican Study Committee, made the comments on NBC’s “Meet the Press” after reports surfaced last week that Miller’s former employees accused him of fostering a toxic work environment. The allegations include verbal abuse, excessive workloads, and creating a culture of fear in his office. Miller, who is running for a third term in Ohio’s 7th District, has not publicly addressed the accusations but has previously dismissed similar complaints as politically motivated.

The allegations against Miller gained traction after a former staffer told NBC News about a pattern of mistreatment, including being forced to work late nights and weekends without compensation. The staffer also described a hostile atmosphere where dissent was discouraged and employees feared retaliation. Another former employee alleged that Miller’s office had unusually high turnover, with multiple staffers leaving within short periods. Miller’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, but allies have defended him, calling the allegations overblown and part of a broader effort to undermine his candidacy.

Banks’ call for Miller to step aside adds pressure on the embattled lawmaker as he faces both primary and general election challenges. Miller has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and has aligned himself closely with Trump’s agenda, which could complicate his reelection bid if the allegations persist. The Ohio Republican Party has not commented on the situation, but if the allegations gain more traction, they could shift the dynamics of the race. What happens next depends on whether Miller addresses the claims directly or if more former staffers come forward with similar stories. The outcome could shape not just Miller’s political future but also the broader Republican Party’s approach to workplace accountability in Congress.