CLEVELAND — Besides the presidential race, control of Congress is also up for grabs across America during Tuesday's election. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans currently hold a narrow edge, while Democrats are hoping to wrestle back power after two years in the minority.
One of the more intriguing battles in Northeast Ohio resides in the state's 7th Congressional District, where incumbent GOP Rep. Max Miller not only faced off against Democrat Matthew Diemer, but also Democrat-turned-independent Dennis Kucinich, long a visible face in Greater Cleveland politics. The district includes all of Medina and Wayne counties as well as portions of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties.
The Associated Press called the race for Miller just after 11 p.m., giving the Shaker Heights native a second straight term in Congress.
Miller released the below statement after his victory:
"Tonight the voters of Ohio’s 7th Congressional District have spoken and I am grateful to them for sending me back to represent them in Washington.
Make no mistake, my first term in Congress brought many challenges, but I am proud of the work my team and I have done putting our constituents first. On day one, I promised that I would fight for the people back home, and I am excited for the opportunity to continue to put them first.
We face many problems in this country and the folks of Northeast Ohio have trusted me with the opportunity to represent their values in DC and fight to move the ball forward. I plan on doing just that to help our families struggling with high costs and finally protect our national security.
Tonight, Americans are taking their country back from the failed Biden-Harris administration.
Congratulations to Bernie Moreno for an impressive victory.
It is time to take America Back. Our Republican victors will get to work."
After the political maps were redrawn in 2022, Miller won election in the 7th District during that year's midterms, though his 11-point victory over the relatively unknown Diemer was considered somewhat closer than expected. Since taking office, he has emerged as a staunch supported of Israel in its war with Hamas and also cosponsored a bill seeking to roll back some EPA water protections, legislation that was eventually vetoed by Preside Joe Biden. Additionally, he played a key role in the expulsion of fellow GOP Rep. George Santos, detailing how the disgraced ex-congressman stole thousands of dollars from him and his mother.
Miller, a former aide to Donald Trump during his time as president, touts his support of Israel while also targeting the Biden administration over inflation and the southern border. By contrast, Diemer is focusing his campaign on areas including protecting abortion rights, supporting unions, and a platform to "Make Congress Work Again" that includes banning members from trading stocks and reforming campaign finance laws.
Entering the fray this time around, however, is Kucinich, the former "Boy Mayor" of Cleveland who later served his hometown in Congress from 1997-2013. Once among the most progressive Democrats in the House and a strong voice against the Iraq War, he became an inner critic of the party in his later years before leaving altogether in 2024. He briefly served as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign manager last year, and his campaign platform pledges his support for tougher immigration restrictions, cutting the federal deficit, and speaking out against U.S. involvement in "endless wars."
Notably, the editorial board for 3News media partner Cleveland.com endorsed Kucinich in this race, describing him as "well-seasoned and well-connected." The publication knocked Diemer for his lack of experience, and while Miller was praised for "a willingness to reach across the aisle for the good of his district," he did not participate in the endorsement process and was chided for "his unreserved fealty to Trump."
Republicans presently hold a 220-212 edge in the House. With three current vacancies heading into the 2024 elections, Democrats will have to flip at least three additional seats in order to retake control.
